1 




■' 



III. 



HIHIlim 111 



'"...-,, 



'.:!!• 






<\»M 






Sifted 
Wheat 




n 




C.E.Cornell 














Class __3V^ 
Book 



t: a I 



£a 



GopightN .. 



COPYRIGHT DEPOSIT 




C. E. CORNELL. 



SIFTED WHEAT 



OR HELPS TO HOLT LIVING 



A Special Tonic for Young People and 
A Stimulus for Those Who Are Older 



-BY- 



CLARENCE ELLSWORTH CORNELL 

v.. 

Lay Evangelist and Author of 

"Hints to Fishermen" "Joy for Mourning" and 
"Heaven or Hell, Which?" 



He should have fed them also with the finest of the wheat; and 
with honey out of the rock should I have satisfied thee. Psa. 81:16. 



PUBLISHED BY 

THE CHRISTIAN WITNESS CO 

CHICAGO AND BOSTON 

1905 










\ 



LIBRARY Of CONGRESS 


Twc Copies 


rfeceiveu 


JUN 29 


1905 


Cooyritftu tniry 

CLASS^ Ct AAC. No; 

COPY B. 



Copyright, 1905, by 
The Christian Witness Co. 



PREFACE. 

During the years of 1902 and 1903 the Author of this 
book had charge of the Young People's page of the Chris- 
tian Standard, published in Philadelphia, edited by the 
Rev. E. I. D. Pepper. Much original matter was con- 
tributed during this period, which seemed to be appreci- 
ated by a large number of readers. That these articles 
may have a wider reading I have selected the choicest 
for compilation in this book. A large variety of subjects 
are treated. Helps, suggestions, admonitions and exhor- 
tations are frequent. The "Special Subjects" with 
Scriptural references are terse, pertinent and spiritual. 
Many of these can be used for Bible readings or prayer 
meeting topics. The "General Subjects" have wide range 
and abound with interesting, illustrative matter. The 
tone of the book is intensely spiritual throughout. The 
great and important doctrines of the Bible essential to 
salvation are clearly, strongly and definitely taught. 

Open the book at almost any page and you will find 
inspiration to holy living. 

I send it forth in the name of my holy Sanctifier and 

pray that under the direction of the Spirit it may prove a 

.blessing to thousands. 

Faithfully, 

C. E. C. 



E>eMcator£, 

To 

A choice lover 

A pious and devoted wife 

The willing, patient, loyal mother of my children 

I affectionately dedicate this book. 



Co 



NTENTS. 



SPECIAL SUBJECTS. 

With Scriptural references. 

Annual review t 57 

A great awakening in my heart, my church, Christ's church 

everywhere 21 

A suggestion in addition 98 

A cure for the world's woe 132 

A message from His Word 148 

A choice for eternity 272 

Attendance on the means of grace 200 

Be loyal to the King and the Kingdom 209 

Cheerful amid adversity 120 

Communion and transformation 105 

Christian stewardship 151 

Confidence in God 192 

Constant companionship 86 

Delight in God's house 113 

Difficulties in the way of evangelizing the world 39 

Endure hardness as a good soldier 232 

Entering the Kingdom 17 

Four red flags; self-conceit; prejudice; jealousy; reckless 

handling of another's name 188 

Factors necessary to the evangelization of the world in this 

generation ■ 108 

Freedom for service. 103 

Growing in grace J 42 

5 



6 SIFTED WHEAT. 

Giving ; its law, its reflex influence 44 

How the weak become strong 71 

Jesus Christ — His saving power 269 

Know and obey the Word of God 246 

Keep the vision of Christ clear 204 

Lost and helpless — a man without Christ 265 

Missionary activity 47 

Missionary suggestions — the Gospel in the islands 222 

Making our lives count 235 

My place as a Christian citizen 215 

National prosperity , 80 

Our heavenly home, and the way 138 

Our fellowship 137 

Obedience 32 

Put first things first 248 

Personal work the duty of every Christian 258 

Prayer a necessity ,. . . . 53 

Practical consecration 59 

Remember Jesus Christ 226 

Secret of endurance 35 

Some modern missionary achievements 64 

Stir up the .gift of God which is in thee 229 

Strong men and strong women in the nation's hope 217 

Samuel's call 51 

Selfish ambition and Christ's service 162 

Self-mastery or slavery. 155 

The use of prayer 263 

The law of the harvest 250 

The pathway of peace 30 

Thanksgiving for personal mercies 260 

The open channel of prayer 145 

The purpose of His coming 67 

Truth and lies ,.....; 159 

The joy of service. , 33 

Time for meditation — the morning watch 142 

The young Christian's pleasures — the receration of the body, 

mind and soul 175 

The safeguard of the nation. 211 



SIFTED WHEAT. 7 

The danger of idleness 185 

The call of Jeremiah 243 

The call of Isaiah 240 

The call of Moses 238 

The power of a consistent life. 255 

The Sabbath day for worship and rest 172 

The fulness of God, how secured 117 

The call to separation 94 

The danger of indifference 181 

Total abstinence the only safe rule 169 

The program of Christianity 90 

Use every opportunity 208 

Why total abstinence is best 75 

Why should the church evangelize the world 27 



GENERAL SUBJECTS. 

A dozen helps to holy living 19 

A noble purpose 38 

A good young people's meeting 28 

All for Jesus 20 

A young man can be 82 

A young woman can be 81 

A good leader 122 

Almost a Christian 12S 

An acrostic 144 

A fence of trust 155 

A distinguished poet Ill 

"An example of the believers." 201 

A sufficient plan ~ 104 

"Able." 102 

A call to preach 167 

A preacher's library • 213 

A preacher's wife i, 213 

A few rules for daily living 166 



8 SIFTED WHEAT. 

A disastrous ending 237 

A strong man 220 

A kind word, a sunny smile 261 

A swarm of bees 242 

A serious omission 219 

A picture of the sinner 269 

Arrow points 53 

Blasphemy 236 

Beginnings 90 

Begin at once 221 

Be careful 231 

Be strong 228 

Beautiful in this life 233 

Be careful what you read 131 

Be courteous 87 

Bible marker 166 

Choosing a wife 187 

Confessing your sins 259 

"Cursed" children 183 

Directly personal 123 

Do you ever pray for 151 

Do your best 185 

Danger 124 

Demand a higher standard 43 

Doing good 128 

Do you pray in private ? 122 

Do it 224 

Epigrammatic 175 

Eternity 40 

Eternity in hell 273 

Embracing opportunity 157 

Four privileges 162 

Failure and success 242 

Fashion 223 

Fletcher's rules 161 

For personal reflection 88 

Follow the boys and girls 257 

God's unanswered questions 115 



SIFTED WHEAT. 9 

Glorious independence 82 

Hindrances to the evangelization of the world 89 

Habit 252 

Humility 25 

His repentance not genuine 35 

How fearfully business-like it looks 140 

How they grew 254 

Help somebody 41 

His care 165 

How sin is removed 268 

Help somebody 194 

Inasmuch 29 

Increased usefulness 244 

Irreverence. 37 

If I were you, my girl 203 

Is it anything to you ? 141 

If I were you, my boy 192 

Joy 56 

Jus' keep on keepin' on 84 

Just "two." 26 

Knowing your Bibles 83 

Keep on working 231 

Keen and Kute heard at camp meeting 250 

Killing time 179 

"Knee drill." 254 

Learn to smile 184 

Little sparks 203 

Looking for sunshine 46 

Little sins 234 

Living a moment at a time 130 

Let it alone 230 

Make it count 179 

More prayer 100 

Mission giving 73 

Mutilating the Scriptures 47 

Make sure of heaven 197 

More workers are needed 101 

Mission queries 136 



10 SIFTED WHEAT. 

Never forsaken 268 

Not seeing but believing 274 

Neglected fields 101 

One shot at a time 224 

"Old things pass away." 50 

"— ology." 94 

Open air meetings 77 

Perfection in works 186 

Personal testimony 116 

Pure gold 174 

Putting up another rail 178 

Promises to the "overcomers." 132 

Perfect love 94 

Personal questions 40 

Personal 129 

Questions for daily meditation 149 

Rest 170 

Rays of light 252 

Receiving power 150 

Ready for work 119 

Results in young people's meeting 26 

Regulators 194 

Some Bible firsts 66 

Some revival "don'ts" for workers. 178 

Sparks 167 

Save the young men 257 

Summer suggestions for young people 69 

Some "don'ts." 89 

Spear points 249 

Strange Bible facts 205 

Satisfied 170 

Secret prayer 41 

Some reasons why so many young men fail 124 

Some characteristics of love 126 

Stick to your bush 125 

Strictly personal 101 

Simply form. . 214 

Squibs for young people 56 



SIFTED WHEAT. 11 

Seven "Great" things 135 

Set a high standard 59 

Some "By 84 

Stop ! 217 

Some needs of the hour 228 

Suggestive and personal 127 

Something each day 262 

Slights 245 

Some little things "you" might do 123 

Six things God will do 74 

Shouting 154 

Seven things God hates 151 

Some of the dangers to the church are 78 

Some timely proverbs 144 

Sowing and reaping 158 

Suggestive 195 

Some things the League might do 198 

Summer temptation 225 

There is a vast difference 50 

The hygienic truth 164 

The transforming power of Christ 275 

That which will help a young man succeed 131 

The "go." 239 

Tract distribution 63 

The nine gifts of the spirit 127 

The power of Christ over good resolutions 29 

The inward struggle. . . .-. 245 

To ascertain God's will 180 

The power of a clean life 264 

They helped the old lady 267 

The backslider unsatisfied 266 

Trials 116 

The sinful rich 153 

The story of "one" young man 79 

The religion of Jesus Christ. 78 

Three ( 'G's" to avoid 199 

Try smiling 198 

"Unequally yoked together." 96 



12 SIFTED WHEAT. 

Visiting the sick 66 

Victory , 191 

Waited long 190 

"When thou are converted." 196 

What some young people's societies might do 190 

Without Christianity 265 

Why church entertainment is wrong 241 

"Whiter than snow." 271 

"When he had spent all." 202 

Worldly amusements 136 

Warming himself by the enemies' fire 175 

Warning 128 

"We know." 207 

What you can do 16 

What God uses 102 

Yourself 34 

Young men who use tobacco 97 

You will never be sorry 134 

Young women, big hats, and holiness 74 

Young woman 195 



Passages of Scripture Referred 
to in this Book. 



OLD TESTAMENT 



EXODUS. 


PSALMS 


33 : 9-23 


126: 5-6 


34 : 35-39 


118 : 23 


31: 15-17 


84 : 1-4 


18: 12 


100 : 1-5 


3 : 1-12 


133 : 1-3 




5: 3 


DEUTERONOMY 


119 : 147-148 


6 : 10-13 


51: 6 


16: 18 


119 : 9-18 


1 SAMUEL 


PROVERB 


15 : 22-23 


14 : 34 


3 : 1-21 


29: 18 




12 : 19 


I KINGS 


24: 30-31 


3:14 


6: 34 


8: 56 


14:34 


II CHRONICLES 


ISAIAH 


16:9 


26:3 


9: 10 


41 : 10 


11:23-28 


58: 11 


NEHEMIAH 


40: 29-31 
45 : 12-23 


5:9 


41:1 


JOB 


6: 1-8 


13: 15 


63:7 



13 



14 



SIFTED WHEAT. 



JEREMIAH 


JONAH 


15:6 


1: 1-3 


1:4-10 


HAGGAI 


EZEKIEL 


1:2 


34:11-15 


ZECHARIAH 




4:6 


DANIEL 

1 : 8-15 


MALACHI 


6 : 4-10 


3 : 8-10 



NEW TESTAMENT 



MATTHEW 



JOHN 



28 

25 

23 

26 

21 

18 

28 

4 

10 

14 

6 

7 

6 



19-20 
19-23 
37-38 
36-46 
42 
11 
20 
23 
7-8 
23 
6-8 
7-11 
19-34 
16 : 24-26 
17 : 24-27 
19:17 
6 : 24-34 
1:21 

MARK 

6 : 30-31 
10 : 35-45 
2:27 

LUKE 

9 : 26-29 
10:2 
16 : 19-31 



5 
3 
14 
10 
14 
14 
14 
15 
12 
1 
45 
12 



24 
1-8 
25-31 
10 

15-28 
1-6 . 
13-14 
7 

23-26 
35-40 
46 
37-43 



ACTS 

2 : 41-47 

5:14 
26 : 15-21 

1 : 4-8 
27 : 22-36 
20:32 
20:35 

7: 55-56 
27:25 

8: 26 
10: 

4:12 



SIFTED WHEAT. 



15 



ROMANS 


I TIMOTHY 


13 : 10-14 


6: 17 


1 : 14-16 


2: 1-2 


10 : 12-15 


1: 12 


13: 14 


1: 15 


12 : 1-21 




14: 13-23 


II TIMOTHY 


12: 11 


2:4 


12: 16 


1: 12 


14:22 


4:2 




2 : 8 R. V. 


I CORINTHIANS 


1:6-8 




2: 3-4 


16:1-2 


3 : 10-15 


12 : 12-27 




9 : 24-27 
6: 19 


HEBREWS 


10 : 31-33 


11: 27 


3 : 21-23 


11 : 36-38 




12 : 1-2 


II CORINTHIANS 


2: 1-3 
12 : 20-25 


8: 1-5 


4: 16 


9:6-7 


3: 12 


13 : 1, 2 and 3 




6 :14-18 


JAMES 


9:7 


1 : 22-25 




4:8 


GALATIANS 


I PETER 


5: 1 


2: 1-2 




2: 11 


EPBCESIANS 


2 : 13-17 


4 :12-15 


II PETER 


3 : 14-21 




4:25 


3*: 17-18 


6 : 10-18 


1: 4-9 


PHILIPPIANS 


I JOHN 




2 : 17-18 


2:3 


3 : 17-18 


COLOSSIANS 


JUDE 


1:9 


3:20, 21 




REVELATION 


I THESSALONIANS 


22:14 


5:22 


21:1-4 



SIFTED WHEAT 



ENTERING THE KINGDOM. 

John 3: 1-8; John 5: 24. 

No more can we be born of ourselves in a physical 
sense than we can get into the spiritual kingd'om through 
any scheme of our own. The first is an utter impossibility, 
and the second is likewise impossible. That we have all 
been born physically is a certainty, but that all have been 
born spiritually is not so certain even of those who pro- 
fess the name of Christ. The importance of this subject 
is undervalued, and the danger lies in not placing enough 
emphasis upon it. The Bible statement is emphatic, and 
to presume upon the Word of God by substituting church 
joining, good works, gradualism, or a certain ethical 
evolution, as a means of getting into the kingdom is to 
deceive, endanger and embarrass the soul, and load the 
church down with unseasoned timber having no life or 
power. What are the conditions for entering the king- 
dom? More than joining church, more than raising the 
hand for prayer, more than a few good resolutions, more 

than signing a card, more than baptism, as sacred and 

17 



18 SIFTED WHEAT. 

important as that may be, more than subscribing to a 
few rules of faith and practice, and more than acquies- 
cing to certain statements put into the mouth by some 
one else. These may be all right enough in their place, 
but deeper and beyond any human method or attainment 
is the place wfaere the soul comes in contact with God. 
"Ye must be be born again," carries with it the pos- 
sibility of the experience, and "He that believeth on the 
Son of God hath the witness in himself." 

CONDITION'S NECESSARY FOR ENTERING 
THE KINGDOM. 

1. "Without faith it is impossible to please him; for 
he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and 
that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek 
him." Heb. n: 6. 

2. We must feel that we are sinners before Him. 
"For all have sinned and come short of the glory 
of God." Rom. 3 : 23. This word "all" certainly 
means the whole human race. 

3. If we are sinners then we must come to God to be 
forgiven. "Who can forgive sins but God alone?" 
Luke 5 : 21. 

4. We must repent. This means more than being 
sorry for sin. It means being sorry enough to 
"quit." "Let the wicked forsake his way, and the 
unrighteous man his thoughts; and let him return 
unto the Lord, and He will have mercy upon him; 
and to our God, for He will abundantly pardon." 
Isaiah 55 : 7. 

5., Absolute surrender — the laying down of our arms 



SIFTED WHEAT. 19 

of rebellion and the vowing of fidelity and allegi- 
ance to the new King. 
6. Faith. A simple, childlike trustfulness in Christ 
as my Saviour. The assent of the will to follow 
Jesus through evil as well as through good report. 

TEN SCRIPTURAL EVIDENCES THAT YOU 
ARE REGENERATED. 

Peace with God. — Romans 5:1. 

Does not commit sin. — 1 John 3 : 9. 

Loves the brethren. — 1 John 3 : 14. 

Confesses with his mouth. — Romans 10: 10. 

Hath the witness in himself. — 1 John 5 : 10. 

Led by the Spirit. — Romans 8 : 14. 

Has the fruit of the Spirit. — Galatians 5 : 22, 23. 

Keeps Christ's commandments. — John 14: 15, 21. 

Entirely separate from the world and worldly things. 

— 1 John 2: 15-17. 
Desires holiness. — 1 John 3 : 2, 3. 



A DOZEN HELPS TO HOLY LIVING. 

1. Observe regular seasons of secret prayer, morning 
and evening. 

2. Read daily some portion of God's Word. 

3. Attend one prayer meeting each week if you have 
strength to get there. 

4. Stand up for Jesus always and everywhere. 

5. Try to save at least one soul each year. One each 
month would be better. 



20 SIFTED WHEAT. 

6. Engage in no amusement where the Saviour could 
not be a guest. 

7. Never waste time in idleness and loafing. Better 
spend it in Bible-reading or in the reading of some 
good devotional book. 

8. Be careful of your tongue, that you be not led 
into a "multitude of words" which might terminate 
in evil-speaking or slander. 

9. Try to do some good each day. Say a kind word. 
Send a tract, or write a letter. 

10. Avoid evil companions who would lead you to ruin. 
Seek the companionship of the good and pure. 

11. Be careful what you read. Many of the novels of 
the present day are the merest trash. They are 
full of poison. Keep well to that which will en- 
large your faith, perfect you in love, and make 
your soul like a "watered garden." 

12. "Finally, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever 
things are honest, whatsoever things are just, what- 
soever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, 
whatsoever things are of good report; if there 
be any virtue and if there be any praise, think on 
these things." 

ALL FOR JESUS. 

We sing it, preach it and pray it, but "how few", say 
the Methodist Bishops, "who consecrate all of their all." 
The way of the cross is far from the way of selfishness, 
far from that of pride or self-indulgence. In fact, very 
far removed from having our own way. Peter wanted 
Jesus to "favor himself," but Jesus saw in this sug- 



SIFTED WHEAT. 21 

gestion the hand of Satan, and immediately said : "Get 
thee behind me, Satan : thou are an offence unto me ; 
for thou savorest not the things that be of God, but those 
that be of men." Had Jesus dared to follow Peter's 
suggestion what consequences might have followed! 
The whole plan of redemption would have been defeated. 
So with us, if we listen to the enticing of the tempter, 
or the favor of friends, or the claim of business or pleas- 
ure, or anything that would keep us from going all the 
way with Jesus, we endanger our souls. "If any man 
will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up 
his cross and follow me. For whosoever will save his 
life shall lose it; and whosoever shall lose his life for 
my sake shall find it." Matt. 16 : 24-25. 

My heart to be His temple. 
My eyes to read His Word. 
My lips to speak His praise. 
My hands to work for Him. 
My feet to follow Him. 



A GREAT AWAKENING IN MY HEART, 

MY CHURCH, CHRIST'S CHURCH 

EVERYWHERE. 

Rom. 13 : 10-14. 

If all should honestly follow the Scriptures cited here 
what an awakening would come. And why not? Shall 
the Scriptures speak in vain? Will anything less than 
the "assent" with and "consent" to all the known will of 
God insure our safety? Surely not. Then let the 
"awakening" become a personal matter with each indi- 



22 SIFTED WHEAT. 

vidual. It must begin in your heart before you will have 
much influence in reaching others. One match and 
enough kindling wood and a very great fire can be 
started. What shall you do? See to it that you are 
genuinely converted; that Romans 8: 16 is your experi- 
ence; that you are separate from all worldly entangle- 
ments ; that Jesus is precious to your soul morning, noon 
and night; that you are using all possible spare time to 
advance His Kingdom ; that you are speaking to the un- 
saved about their souls ; and if you have not already done 
so, that you mean to seek God until He sanctifies your 
heart, and tells you so. If this is your purpose the 
awakening has begun on the altar of your heart; then 
use all the grace that God gives you. 

WAYS OF WORKING. 

Make a list of names of those whom you would like 
to see converted. Put down at least six names. Carry 
this list with you and pray for them daily by name.. 
As opportunity affords speak to them concerning the 
matter of salvation. If you cannot reach them this way, 
write each a loving, personal letter. Put in a tract or 
two that you think will fit their case. If they are not 
influenced by your direct efforts, send some Christian 
friend to see them, or have him write a letter. If still 
there is hardness of heart, interest several Christian 
friends in' their behalf, and have them "drop in" occa- 
sionally and say a word. Don't give up. Keep trying, 
and it will not be long until your labors are blessedly 
rewarded. 

Plan to bring the unsaved under the influence of the 



SIFTED WHEAT. 23 

Gospel. Many a man has been converted by the first 
Gospel sermon he had heard, perhaps, for years. Cards 
of invitation with appropriate Scripture verses are often 
blessed of God in awakening a soul. 

If there should be sickness in the family of any on 
your list, be sure to call, say a kind word, have a few 
words of prayer if possible ; leave a good book to be read 
to the sick one, or a bunch of flowers. 

If those on your list are men, plan for a little prayer 
meeting, at a lawyer's or business office or your home 
— or somewhere that those you intend to help will not 
be afraid to come. Bait your hook with good bait if 
you expect to catch fish. You cannot catch fish with a 
bare hook. You might "snag" one occasionally, but the 
chances are rare. Push for souls with the same energy 
most men push for business. I mean in a legitimate sense, 
persistently, determinedly expecting success, and God 
will bless your labor by giving you scores of souls. 

ILLUSTRATIONS. 

A few years ago, in a small upper room, less than 
a dozen young men assembled for prayer.- That night 
two were converted, and one or two claimed the baptism 
with the Holy Ghost. Two of these young men are now 
preaching the Gospel, and most of the others are active 
in Christian work. 

In a little parlor meeting planned to help several per- 
sons into the experience of holiness, the Spirit was 
poured out as at Pentecost, and four or five were sancti- 
fied, among the number a young man who afterward be- 
came a successful Sunday-school Superintendent, wield- 



24 SIFTED WHEAT. 

ing large influence, and is now a successful Christian 
worker. 

A Sunday-school teacher received the blessing of 
perfect love, and immediately there was a great hunger 
in her heart for the conversion of the twelve girls in 
her class. She planned to> have them call to see her one 
at a time. She followed this with a home social, to which 
all the girls were invited. Her object was to win their 
entire confidence that she might lead them to Christ. 
Personal letters and faithful teaching came next, and 
before the year was up this consecrated teacher had the 
pleasure of leading her whole class to Christ. 

Awake ! awake ! young people, the harvest field is 
white. Souls are going into eternity unsaved. Do 
something. Do something for lost souls. Do something 
for God. Begin today. 

"AWAKE." 

Awake to righteousness and sin not. I Cor. 15: 34. 

Awake ! awake ! put on thy strength, O Zion. Isaiah 
52: 1. 

Awake, ye drunkards, and weep. Joel 1:5. 

Awake thou that sleepest, and arise from the dead, 
and Christ shall give thee light. Eph. 5 : 14. 

WHAT CAN I DO TO HELP EVANGELIZE THE WORLD? 

I can present myself, my time, my money ; MY ALL, 
without reservation, to the Lord, now and forever. This 
is but my "reasonable service." 

I can "tarry" until I am endued with power from 



SIFTED WHEAT. 25 

on high. Until I know for myself as an experience what 
the hundred and twenty knew at Pentecost. 

I can then use the ability and power that God has 
given me to reach my unsaved friends at home, and if 
God should call me to a larger field, I will go. 

I can avoid the useless expenditure of money either 
for personal adornment or some selfish end, and thus 
have more money to give to send the Gospel to the ends 
of the earth. 

By my own happy, overcoming, religious experience, 
and my enthusiasm for the souls of men, I can influence 
many others to make a like consecration. 

What I can do, I ought to do, 
And what I ought to do, I WILL DO, 
GOD BEING MY HELPER. 



HUMILITY. 

Humility is perpetual quietness of heart. It is to 
have no trouble. It is never to be fretted, or vexed, 
or irritated, or sore, or disappointed ; it is to expect 
nothing, to wonder at nothing that is done to me, to 
feel nothing done against me. It is to be at rest when 
nobody praises me, and when I am blamed and despised. 
It is to have a blessed home in myself, where I can go 
in and shut the door, and kneel to my Father in secret, 
and where I am at peace, as in a deep sea of calmness 
when all around and above is trouble. 



26 SIFTED WHEAT. 

JUST "TWO." 

Saved or lost. 

Sheep or goats. 

Sinner or Christian. 

Righteous or unrighteous. 

'Wise or foolish virgins. 

Faithful or unfaithful stewards. 

Sand-built or rock-built houses. 

Wheat or tares. 

The narrow way or the broad way. 

A good tree or a corrupt tree. 

Heaven or hell. 

WHICH SHALL IT BE? 

RESULTS IN THE YOUNG PEOPLE'S 
MEETINGS. 

Many Young People's Meetings are in danger of 
getting in the rut of formalism. There is no particular 
aim, no definite plan. The leader reads a little squib 
from a paper or a brief essay on the topic, and then 
says, "The meeting is now open. I trust you will im- 
prove the time." The faithful few take part (if there 
are any such left, and there usually are), the closing 
song is sung and the meeting dismissed. Why not aim 
at real, practical results. Let the officers appoint lead- 
ers with the understanding that no meeting shall close 
without giving some one an opportunity to be prayed for. 
Possibly some unsaved young man or woman is there, 
or some broken-hearted burdened one, or some one sorely 
tempted. These need the prayers of Christians. Why 



SIFTED WHEAT. 27 

not expect some person to get converted in the Young 
People's Meeting? What is such a meeting for, any- 
how? There are thousands of meetings where this is 
possible. Aim at results, expect results, get results. 



WHY SHOULD THE CHURCH EVANGELIZE 
THE WORLD? 

Matthew 28: 19-20. Romans 1: 14-16; 10: 12-15. 

Mr. Jno. R. Mott has written a book of great interest 
entitled "The Evangelization of the World in this Gener- 
ation." In chapter 2 he gives the following reasons 
why we are under obligation to evangelize the world : 
"(1) because all men need Christ; (2) because we owe 
all men the Gospel; (3) because it is essential to the best 
life of the Christian Church ; (4) because the need on 
the part of the unevangelized portions of the earth is an 
urgent one." 

MY PERSONAL RESPONSIBILITY. 

1. If all men need Christ, what am I doing to have 
all men know Him? 

2. If we owe all men the Gospel, what am I doing 
to pay my share of the debt? 

3. If it is essential to the best life of the Church, what 
am I doing to sustain and intensify that life? 

4. If the need is urgent, am I awake to the im- 
perativeness of the situation? 



28 SIFTED WHEAT. 

WAYS OF HELPING. 

Personal Preparation. Seek and find the promised 
power. — Acts 1 : 8. 

Personal Testimony. Witness to the fulfillment of 
the promise in your own heart on all proper occasions. 

Personal Effort. Use what God has given you if 
you expect Him to give more. The Lord is not wasting 
grace upon anybody. 

Personal Contact. Invite .that friend to Christ you 
have so long neglected. 

WHAT I CAN DO. 

I can know Christ myself. 

I can tell others about Him. 

I can invite others to Him. 

I can give of my earthly substance. 

I can give myself to go or stay as the Lord may call. 

I can make the best of every opportunity, with God's 
help. 

I can pray earnestly that the world may be speedily 
evangelized. 



A GOOD YOUNG PEOPLE'S MEETING. 

Begins promptly. 

Everybody sings. 

Has plenty of singing books. 

The leader does not take all the time. 

All Christians bow or kneel in prayer, and pray. 



SIFTED WHEAT. 29 

When the opportunity for testimony comes every 
moment is taken. 

Personal experience is quite often given rather than 
comment on the topic. 

Strangers are cordially invited to come again. 

Those who are unsaved are always invited to stand 
or hold up their hands for prayer, and then personally 
urged to give their hearts to Christ at once. 

A good Young People's Meeting has vim, vigor, 
strength, helpfulness, enthusiasm and fruit. 

THE POWER OF CHRIST OVER GOOD 
RESOLUTIONS. 

Four young men banded themselves together to quit 
swearing. They were honest and meant to stop. They 
tried hard, but in spite of it all they failed. One young 
man said he broke over only four times in four days, 
but added, "On Thanksgiving evening, two weeks ago, 
I gave my heart to Christ and was converted, and since 
then I have not sworn a. single oath, and I have not tried 
to keep from it, either ; it has all left me." The only real 
cure for profanity or any other vile habit is the salva- 
tion of Jesus Christ. 

INASMUCH. 

Inasmuch as there is a hell, s'hun it. 

Inasmuch as there is a heaven, gain it. 

Inasmuch as you are a Christian, you should be 
Christ-like. 

Inasmuch as you are holy, you must suffer persecu- 
tion. 



30 SIFTED WHEAT. 

Inasmuch as you are saved, you should seek to save 
others. 

Inasmuch as you are ashamed of Christ's words you 
are ashamed of Him. 



THE PATHWAY OF PEACE. 
Jno. 14:25-31; Isa. 26:3. 

The pathway to peace is not by any system of ethical 
culture or moral, gymnastics alone. No man yet, 
simply by his own efforts has been able to reach a state 
of moral perfection satisfactory to himself. 

Benjamin Franklin, one of the most lovely charac- 
ters in history, has this passage in his autobiography, 

(1773): 

"It was about this time I conceived the bold and ardu- 
ous project of arriving at moral perfection. I wished 
to live without committing any fault at any time, and to 
conquer all that either natural inclination, custom, or 
company might lead me into. As I knew, or thought 
I knew, iwhat was right and wrong, I did not see why 
I might not always do the one and avoid the other. 
But I soon found I had undertaken a task of more dif- 
ficulty than I had imagined. While my attention was 
taken up and employed in guarding against one fault, 
I was often surprised by another; habit took the advan- 
tage of inattention ; inclination was sometimes too strong 
for reason. I concluded, at length, that the mere spec- 
ulative conviction that it is to our interest to be completely 
virtuous is not sufficient to prevent our slippings ; and 



SIFTED WHEAT. 31 

that the contrary habit must be broken, and good ones 
acquired and established, before we can have any depend- 
ence on a steady, uniform rectitude of conduct." 

The physicians who gave an exhaustive report of the 
trial, execution, autopsy and mental status of Czolgosz, 
the assassin of President McKinley, say, "There was 
found absolutely no condition of any of the viscera that 
could have been at the bottom of any mental derange- 
ment. Taking all in all, the verdict must be 'socially 
diseased and perverted but not mentally diseased.' The 
most horrible violation of human law cannot always be 
condoned by the plea of insanity. The wild beast slum- 
bers in us all. It is not always necessary to invoke insan- 
ity to Explain its awakening." "The wild beast," "the 
tiger," "the old man," "depravity," "sin that dwelleth. 
in me," "root of bitterness," "an evil heart of unbelief," 
is a certainty in the human heart and science again adds 
its testimony to the fact. 

You cannot train the "animal" to good behavior, nor 
make him lie down in peace and quietness by any human 
method. He must be cast out entirely or else there will 
be war, strife, unrest, hatred, jealousy, anger, envy, very 
often on the slightest provocation. Thank God, the "old 
man" can be "crucified" (Rom. 6: 6) he can be "put 
off" (Eph. 4: 22), "Jesus was manifested to destroy the 
works of the Devil" (1 Jno. 3: 8), "His blood cleanseth 
from all sin," (1 Jno. 1:7). The Comforter came 
and they did get pure hearts at Pentecost (Acts 
I S : 8, 9.) The only safe way for any human being to 
deal with the "wild beast" is to have him electrocuted 
by the Holy Spirit, and then you will strike the pathway 
to the most perfect peace this side of Heaven. Glory! 



32 SIFTED WHEAT. 

OBEDIENCE. 

I Sam. 15 : 22, 23 ; 1 Kings 3 : 14 ; Rev. 22 : 14. 

God demands literal obedience. He has a right to. 
He is all-wise and knows the end from the beginning. 
Those who obey God, though outward circumstances and 
environments may seem difficult, will find the pathway 
one of peace, with the lions all chained. Saul wanted 
a little of his own way, and gave a very religious reason 
for his action, but it displeased God, who will have no 
halfway measures, and he made an utter failure. Solo- 
mon made a noble start. He "loved the Lord." "I am 
but a little child," and God bestowed Upon him gracious 
liberality, but he became pompous, proud, self-willed, dis- 
obedient and had a miserable end. See 1 Kings 11. 

OBEDIENCE. 

"Obedience is like its first letter, which must be per- 
fect and entire. If it is broken, it is no longer an O; 
it is a C and stands for Contempt." 

Obedience without the propelling power of love is a 
hard taskmaster. 



WHOM SHALL I OBEY? 

Parents. — Eph. 6: 1-4. 
Rulers. — Rom. 13 : 1-7. 
God. — Josh. 23: 1-11. 



SIFTED WHEAT. 33 

THE JOY OF SERVICE. 
Psa. 126: 5-6; Matt. 25: 19-23. 

It is said of Dr. Keen, when he was dying, that some- 
one remarked that he had worked too hard — perhaps a 
little indiscreet. But this great soul at the very edge of 
eternity sent word back, "I am glad I let out the last 
link every time." To get real joy from service is to do 
your very best, let out the last link every time. God 
never wastes grace on anybody, and the reason why 
many people do not enjoy more is because they do not 
use what God has already bestowed. If one would have 
liberty, you must take liberty every chance you get. If 
you would fill a large place, prove faithful in the small 
things. If you are compelled to march at the tail end of 
the procession, make the man in front of you hustle to 
keep out of your way. 

Remember that after all real joy comes from "being" 
rather than "doing." The cry of the church today is, 
"Do, do, do; work, work, work," and many are almost 
working their finger-tips off with but little joy. This is 
a good deal like trying to run machinery without any 
motive power. God's word puts it, "Be perfect;" "Be 
filled with the Spirit." This makes service easy as well 
as delightful. First experience, then service. 



Sifted Wheat— 3 



34 SIFTED WHEAT. 

SOME LITTLE THINGS I CAN DO. 

I can write a letter to an unsaved friend. 

I can stop in and say a word of cheer to that poor 
family across the street. 

I can invite the neighbor's children to go to Sunday- 
school. 

I can send a bunch of flowers to some sick-room. 

I can read the Bible or a good book to old Mrs. 
Blank, who cannot see to read. 

I can stay at home and mind baby while poor, tired 
mamma goes to church occasionally. 

I can plan to help someone else rather than gratify 
my own selfishness all the time. 

I can shake hands with strangers when they come to 
church, and invite them to come again. 



YOURSELF. 

Think for yourself. 

Act for yourself. 

Believe 'for yourself. 

Enjoy salvation for yourself. 

Make sure of Heaven yourself. 



SIFTED WHEAT. 35 

THE SECRET OF ENDURANCE. 

* 
Heb. 1 1 : 27 ; Exod. 33 : 9-23. 

Paul prayed "night and day exceedingly," that the 
faith of his converts at Thessalonica might be perfected, 
"To the end he may stablish your hearts unblamable in 
holiness." (1 Thess. 3: 10-13.) And writing to the 
Romans he talks about "access by faith into this grace 
wherein we stand." So it would seem there is both a 
"stablishing" and "standing" grace. If one would 
"endure hardness as a good soldier of Jesus Christ," (2 
Tim. 2-3) let him immediately seek the blessing of holi- 
ness. There is nothing else that will come so near mak- 
ing one hold out — endure. The greatest hindrance to 
Christian faithfulness is the carnal mind. It constantly 
hampers usefulness, blights faith, darkens experience, 
and obstructs love. Get the "old man" electrocuted by 
the baptism with the Holy Ghost, and the life will be 
"transformed," the heart fairly glow with holy love, and 
Christian service will be both spontaneous and delightful. 
The cure for much of the backsliding in the church is to 
seek and obtain the experience of entire sanctification. 
And the sooner the ministry and the people awake to 
this fact, the sooner the church will put on her beautiful 
garments of holiness and march to victory, "fair as the 
moon, clear as the sun, and terrible as an army with 
banners." 



36 SIFTED WHEAT. 

HELPS TO ENDURE. 

Wait on God. Psa. $7'- 34"4°« 
Strength. Psa. 20. 
Courage. Josh. 1 : 19. 
Might. Eph. 3 : 14-21. 
Constancy. Phil. 4: 6, 7. 
Right Thinking. Phil. 4: 8. 
The Bank of Heaven. Phil. 4: 19. 
God Is Able. 2 Cor. 9 : 8. 

PATIENCE. 

Patience in running. Heb. 12 : 1. 

Patience in waiting. Psa. 37 : 7 ; 2 Thess. 3 : 5. 

Patience in tribulation. Rom. 5 : 3. 

Patience in faith. Jas. 1 : 3. 

Patience in fruit bearing. Luke 8: 15. 

Patience in ministry. 2 Cor. 6:4; 12 : 12. 



BIBLE EXAMPLES OF PATIENCE. 

Job was patient. Jas. 5: 11. 
Abraham was patient. Heb. 6: 15. 
David was patient. Psa. 41. 
Paul was patient. 2 Tim. 3 : 10. 



SIFTED WHEAT. 37 

PERSEVERANCE. 

The only kind of character that tells, is that which 
has "stick-to-itiveness" in it. The young man or woman 
who truly succeeds in this day must persevere. Persever- 
ance will do seemingly impossible things. Abbie C. Mor- 
row relates how Geo. F. Pentecost went once into a 
large factory and saw hanging from the ceiling by a 
piece of strong wire a heavy bar of steel. At a distance 
was a string, hanging also from the ceiling with a small 
cork at the end of it. The foreman said, "I can take 
this cork and move that bar of steel with it." The doctor 
laughed. He did not believe the man. It looked im- 
possible. He said, "If you can spare fifteen minutes I 
will show you." "Yes," said the doctor. The foreman 
took the cork in his ringers and drew it back and cast 
it at the bar of steel. It struck but seemed to make no im- 
pression. Again and again he threw it, always striking 
at the same place. At last there was the faintest motion. 
In ten minutes the bar was swaying to and fro. So, 
with the seeming insurmountable obstacles of life, they 
can be swept aside by the individual who perseveres. 
This is especially true of the one who has the help of 
God. Set your ideal high, live a holy life, push hard 
for victory, trust God implicitly and success is assured. 

IRREVERENCE. 

Many young people as well as old ones who attend 
our churches are falling into the habit of sitting bolt 
upright during prayer. This is very often true of those 
who call themselves Christians. To do this means a 



38 . SIFTED WHEAT. 

very sad lack of reverence and is dangerous to the spir- 
itual life of the individual, and is sure, sooner or later, 
to lead to utter apostasy. When prayer is being offered 
every Christian should bow the head or kneel and should 
engage in prayer for yourself or those about you. We 
have seen a whole congregation, with a few exceptions, 
sitting up straight watching the minister while he was 
praying, and seemingly from the side glances given there 
was not one in a hundred who had any thought of prayer. 

Remember, if you call yourself a Christian it is 
as much your duty to engage in prayer as the minister's. 
To neglect to do so on every occasion where public 
prayer is made, will cause you to become indifferent and 
very often, I believe, is the devil's entering wedge, that 
will cause backsliding and perhaps the loss of the soul. 

Let all the people pray. 



A NOBLE PURPOSE. 

"Daniel purposed in his heart." Dan. i : 8-20. That 
is the place where all good as well as bad purposes begin. 
The outward manifestations of sin are only the "actions" 
of the individual whose heart first conceived the badness. 
Daniel had a definite, reasonable purpose back of his 
conduct. He had counted the cost. He knew the odds 
that would be against him. Yet he steadfastly resolved 
to be true to his conscience and his God. Any young 
man with a like purpose in this day is sure of success. 
God will honor him, and even his enemies will praise him. 
Daniel had formed a habit of prayer, and nothing could 
change him. When the great crisis came he confidently 



SIFTED WHEAT. 39 

expected his God to deliver him, and He did. Many 
people pray only when they get in a "corner." If you 
would be strong for an emergency, and not show weak- 
ness and cowardice, keep "prayed up." 



DIFFICULTIES IN THE WAY OF EVANGEL- 
IZING THE WORLD. 

Jonah 1:1-3; Matt. 23 : 37, 38 ; Mai. 3 : 8-10. 

1. — The greatest hindrance to the spread of Chris- 
tianity is the unfaithfulness of so-called Christians. The 
inconsistent life of one professor does more to injure the 
cause of Christ than a dozen saints can build up. A real 
Christian is a Christ-one or like Christ. "Let this mind 
be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus." — Phil. 2-5. 

2. — A hindrance to the spread of the Gospel is a lack 
of consecration on the part of Christians. God would 
call many a preacher, teacher or missionary to help spread 
the "good news" if they were only all his property. Too 
many desire and have their own way, and the purpose 
of God for them is defeated. Entire consecration means 
the giving of "all of your all." Then one can joyfully 
cry, "Here am I, send me." 

3. — God's cause suffers because His people do not 
give him their first fruits. Christian men and women 
have the money to evangelize the world. If Christians 
would only honor God with a tenth, the missionary treas- 
uries would be full and millions could be reached who are 
now neglected. 

4; — The spread of the Gospel is hindered because 



40 SIFTED WHEAT. 

the ministry is not urging believers to seek the pente- 
costal experience. The Church in general is living away 
beneath its privilege. Thousands who profess the name 
of Christ are weak, fearful, vacillating. They need the 
power and strength of pentecost. This experience brings 
stability, aggressiveness, purity, and a real relish for soul 
winning. 



PERSONAL QUESTIONS. 

Am I afraid of death? If so, why? 
Have I yet risen with Christ to newness of life? 
Is my name written in the Lamb's Book of Life, and 
do I know it? 

How can I make sure of eternal life? 



ETERNITY. 

With its hidden mysteries. 

With its changed relationships. 

With its never-ending agony or everlasting bliss. 

With its despairing groans never heard outside of 
hell, or its rhapsodies peculiar to heaven. 

With its hate, continual hate (there is no love in hell) 
or its love, peace and inexpressible joy (there is no hate 
in heaven.) 



SIFTED WHEAT. 41 

HELP SOMEBODY. 

Stop talking about it, do it. Do not depend upon 
someone else to do what you ought to do yourself. If 
it is to read to an old lady, do it. If it is to send a 
bunch of flowers to that sick friend, do it. If it is to say 
a kind word to that poor, discouraged washer woman, do 
it. If it is to send flour and groceries to that poor family, 
do it. "A doer of the work, this man shall be blessed 
in his deeds." 

SECRET PRAYER. 

God has a good deal more to give His children than 
most of them are getting. If one would enjoy the riches 
of the skies, there must be a heart to heart talking with 
God. Every Christian should have a place of secret 
prayer. The reason why there are so many weak Chris- 
tians is simply because there is not time enough taken 
to commune with the Father. Too much hurry, too 
much bustle, too much business, no time for prayer. 

"Take time to be holy, 
Speak oft with thy Lord." 

It is said of Mr. Spurgeon that during his hour of 
secret devotion he would not permit even the Queen of 
England to interrupt him. He held this hour so sacred 
and important. Spurgeon met God face to face, he 
gained his great strength here. Reader, have a place 
to pray, have a time to pray. PRAY! and then live up 
to your prayers. Don't pray cream and then live skim 
milk. 



42 SIFTED WHEAT. 

GROWING IN GRACE. 

2 Pet. 3: 17-18; 1 Pet. 2: 1-2; Eph. 4: 12-15. 

Growth in grace, not "into" grace. There is quite a 
difference. Grace is life. There must be spiritual life before 
there can be spiritual growth. To grow in grace one 
must have grace to grow in. The sinner is "delivered 
from the power of darkness, and is translated into the 
Kingdom of Christ." This is regeneration. Regenera- 
tion is a splendid soil to grow in, but not the best. The 
carnal mind, the "flesh lusting against the Spirit," in 
the regenerate is an obstruction to rapid spiritual growth. 
Get the weeds all out, roots and all, if you want a beauti- 
ful, healthy flower garden. So with the weeds of sin 
springing up from the "remainder of iniquity." Get 
these out and you can have meekness, quietness, rest and 
holiness. Seek a pure heart if you desire rapid develop- 
ment. It ought to be evident to all, that one can grow 
a much better "crop" of religion, out of pure soil than 
any other. Paul says, "Rooted and grounded in love." 
Love is the best soil. It holds when storms come, it 
lasts through summer as 'well as winter. Sanctification, 
perfect love, a pure heart, this is the experience that 
promises real growth. The Methodist hymnal in sub- 
dividing the hymns says, "Sanctification and growth." 
This is scriptural and should be emphasized. There are 
many spiritual dwarfs everywhere simply because they 
have not been led on to perfection. 



SIFTED WHEAT. 43 

SUGGESTIONS. 

1. There can be neither life nor growth until the 
seed is planted. The soul must be born again before 
it can grow. Jno. 3:751 Pet. 1 : 23. 

2. Every seed brings forth its particular kind. Gen. 
1 : 12. The soul born of God brings forth a godly life. 
Jno. 3: 5-6; Matt. 7: 16-17; 2 Cor. 5: 17. 

3. Conditions necessary for growth, (a) Death, Jno. 
12: 24; (b) Moisture, Isa. 55: 10; Isa. 27: 3; (c) Sun- 
light, Deut. 33: 13-14; Mai. 4:2; Psa. 97: 11 ; (d) Food, 
Acts 14: 17; Jno. 6: 35; 55-57; (e) Purification. If 
rapid growth and fruitfulness is desired, get rid of the 
bitter root of inbred sin, Deut. 29: 18; Jno. 15 : 2. 

4. Promises. Deut. 8: 7-10; Deut. 11: 10-12; Isa. 
58: 11; Hos. 14: 5-7; Jer. 17: 7-8; Psa. 92: 12-14; 2 
Cor. 9 : 8. 



DEMAND A HIGHER STANDARD. 

Girls should demand a higher standard of young men. 
It is a common sight to see young women from our best 
homes parading the street with young men who puff 
cigar smoke into their faces. In the first place a young 
man is not a gentleman in the truest sense of that word 
who will do it, and every young woman lowers her self- 
respect who permits it. Some girls even think it smart 
to see a young man tipsy. It is a great condescension 
on the part of pure girlhood to even recognize such a 
depraved moral state. Girls, raise the standard of moral- 



44 SIFTED WHEAT. 

ity among your gentlemen friends. You owe it to your- 
selves, you owe it to the young men, and the genera- 
tions to follow. Demand that young men cease from 
filthy and evil habits, or else forfeit your company. This 
will bring many a careless young man to his senses, and 
perhaps save many from contamination and ruin. Girls, 
I say again, demand a higher standard. 



GIVING; ITS LAW; ITS REFLEX INFLUENCE. 

2 Cor. 8 : 1-5 ; 9 : 6-7. 1 Cor. 16 : 1-2. 

The Rev. Dr. Arthur T. Pierson points out "seven 
ways of giving." 

1. — The careless way. 

2. — The impulsive way. 

3. — The lazy way. 

4. — The self-denying way. 

5. — The systematic way. 

6. — The equal way. 

7. — The heroic way. 

Every Christian ought to consider the matter of giv- 
ing very carefully. Jesus said, "It is more blessed to 
give than to receive." If one is to get the real blessing 
out of this form of service, there ought to be fixed prin- 
ciples to which one will strictly adhere. 

The Bible suggests ways of giving which will bring a 
blessing, enlarge usefulness and multiply resources. 

1. Willingly. "If there be first a willing mind." 
2 Cor. 8 : 12. 



SIFTED WHEAT. 45 

2. Cheerfully. "God loveth a cheerful (hilarious) 
giver." 2 Cor. g : 7. 

3. Systematically. "Upon the first day of the week." 
1 Cor. 16 : 2. 

4. Proportionately. "The tenth shall be holy unto 
the Lord." Lev. 27: 32. 



HINTS ON GIVING. 

A good prayer to make. "O Lord how much of your 
money can I give." Not how little. 

"As a man purposeth in his heart (not his head), so 
let him give." 

Use some tact in giving. It would be useless to give 
a blind man an opera glass, or an armless man a pair 
of gloves. 

Give the "first fruit" if you want full barns. Prov. 
3: 9-10. 

If you would prosper both spiritually and temporally 
give a tenth of your income to the Lord. 

Try an O. P. J. (Old Patriarch Jacob) account. Gen. 
28: 22. 

GIVING A TENTH. 

Miss Havergal says : "Though we place all our 
money at our Lord's disposal, and rejoice to spend it 
all for Him, directly or indirectly, yet I am certain it is 
a great help and safeguard, and what is more, a matter 
of simple obedience to His commands, to set aside a 
regular and definite proportion of our income or receipts 



46 SIFTED WHEAT. 

for His direct service. It is a great mistake to suppose 
that the law of giving the tenth to God is merely Leviti- 
cal. Search and look for yourselves, and you will find 
that it is like the Sabbath, a far older rule, running all 
through the Bible, and indorsed, not abrogated, by Christ 
Himself." 

Dr. A. J. Gordon says : "Who can say that we ought 
not to give at least one-tenth of our income to the Lord ? 
If any Christian who has never tried it will make the 
experiment, conscientiously following it through to the 
end in prosperity and in advers'ty, we predict for him 
two surprises. First, he will be astonished at the in- 
creased amount which he is enabled by this method to give 
the Lord; and, secondly, he will be astonished at the 
increased spiritual and temporal prosperity which the 
Lord will give to him." 



LOOKING FOR SUNSHINE. 

A little pale-faced newsboy stood near a street corner 
one chilly day, drawing one foot ,up against the other 
to get a little warmth. He was crying his papers and 
seemingly not minding the cold rain that beat down 
upon him. A gentleman stepped up and purchased a 
paper, and while waiting for his change, remarked, "My 
boy, you look cold and uncomfortable." "Oh, this is 
nothing," said the boy, "the sun will shine directly." 
His unpleasant surroundings made no impression, be- 
cause he was looking for sunshine. Hold on my friend, 



SIFTED WHEAT. 47 

if sorrows or clouds sweep across thy pathway* the sun 
will shine soon. Some one has beautifully written : 

"The inner side of every cloud 

Is bright and shining: 
I therefore turn my clouds about 
And always wear them inside out, 

To show the lining." 

MUTILATING THE SCRIPTURES. 

Comparatively few persons can quote the Scriptures 
correctly. Ministers as well as laymen are very careless 
here. We need more care in this matter. If we can- 
not know a large portion of the Bible, let us know a 
little and know that just as it is in the Book. Many per- 
sons who quote Scripture, very often spoil the entire 
sense of the verse by omitting a portion that should not 
be left out. I wish the young people who read this 
would make a point of learning the Scripture correctly. 
It will be of inestimable value in the days to come. 



MISSIONARY ACTIVITY. 

Acts 2: 41-47; 5: 14; 26: 15-21. Heb. 11: 36-38; 

Rom. 13-14. 

The greatest incentive to missionary "giving" and 
missionary "going" is the baptism with the Holy Ghost. 
Without this the treasuries of the church are untouched, 
and the thousands, who are capable of going, remain at 



48 SIFTED WHEAT. 

home having no "passion" for the souls of men. Let the 
church seek and obtain the "purity" and "power" of 
pentecost and missionary funds will multiply until treas- 
uries will run over, and thousands will cry with Isaiah, 
"Here am I, send me." Is it not a sad comment on the 
Christian church, with her millions of money and boasted 
philanthropy that we only contribute the paltry sum of 
five million dollars annually to instruct and save a thous- 
and million heathen ? And when we remember that much 
of this money only comes after the most persistent 
teasing and begging the picture is still sadder. A con- 
secrated, fire-baptised church is a spontaneous, liberal, 
cheerful church. Selfishness, pride and all worldly mind- 
edness are gone. God's holiness imparted, God's image 
stamped upon the soul, and thoughts concerning God, 
His holiness, the extension of His kingdom among men, 
predominant in the heart and life. Only pentecost, heart 
purity, entire sanctification will bring this about. God 
help the church to realize it. 

SAD FACTS TO THINK ABOUT. 

The women of America pay a great deal more for 
artificial flowers for their hats and bonnets, than the 
whole church of God gives for missions. 

The men of America spend more in a year for to- 
bacco than the whole church has spent in nineteen cen- 
turies to spread the Gospel. 

Sinners spend more for whisky in forty-eight hours 
than all the churches give to missions in a year. 

The needless use of buttons that women put on the'r 
kid gloves would double the missionary contributions. 



SIFTED WHEAT. 49 

MY PERSONAL RESPONSIBILITY. 

What am I doing? 

Am I giving cheerfully? 

Am I willing to go if the Lord should call ? 

Am I acquainted with missionary facts? 

Am I able to support a native preacher? 

If so, am I willing to do it ? 

There are many heathen at home, but say friend, are 
you really helping to save them? 

AWAKE ! AWAKE ! to your personal responsibility. 



QUESTIONS FOR PERSONAL REFLECTION. 

If no one gives more than I, how long will it take 
to save the world ? 

If no one prays more than I, how long will it take to 
save the world? 

If no one works more than I, how long will it take 
to save the world? 

If no one has a desire to go more than I, how will 
the heathen hear the Gospel message? 

If I am entirely indifferent, how "shall I answer in 
the day of judgment? 



Sifted Wheat— 4 



50 SIFTED WHEAT. 

THERE IS A VAST DIFFERENCE 

Between being sorry for sin and being sorry you are 
"caught." 

Between confessing your sins and confessing some 
other fellow's. 

Between seeing your own faults and seeing some 
other person's. 

Between conversion of the head and conversion of 
the heart. 

Between being led by the Holy Spirit and led by your 
own imagination. 

Between being persecuted for "righteousness' sake" 
and being persecuted for "foolishness' sake." 

Between "contending for the faith" and striving for 
your own opinion. 

Between preaching the Word and preaching some 
other man's opinion. 

Between real testimony and making a speech. 

Between a "heart" hallelujah and a manufactured one. 

"OLD THINGS PASS AWAY." 

In one of our meetings a bright, pretty young girl 
was deeply convicted for sin. She was able to yield 
every point except one. She had learned to dance. It 
was fascinating, it fairly entranced her. She did not 
want to give this up. Satan suggested "there was no 
harm in it." She struggled for several days, but could 
get no peace. It became a matter of heaven or hell, 
choosing the dance and losing her soul, or accepting 
Christ. The congregation had been dismissed, and she 



SIFTED WHEAT. 51 

alone still tarried at the altar. The struggle was des- 
perate, her face bore the picture of despair. We gathered 
about her for the final battle with the powers of dark- 
ness. Christian faith and prayer prevailed. She lifted 
her face and cried, "I yield Lord, I give it all up. Oh, 
save me, save me now." The complete surrender brought 
the answer, the burden rolled away and God spoke peace 
to her heart. How her face did shine, how she praised 
God for the inexpressible peace that surged through her 
soul. It was a glorious triumph. The "one thing" that 
stood in her way had now become loathsome. "I just 
hate it," was her testimony. "Old things had passed 
away." The grace of God was so much better. And 
so I believe that a real good case of regenerating grace 
is a sure cure for all forms of worldliness. 



SAMUEL'S CALL, 
i Sam. 3: 1-21. 

Children are more susceptible to spiritual truth than 
those of older years. Their tender hearts readily yield 
to the impressions of the Spirit. Parents make a serious 
mistake in restraining their children from becoming 
Christians. A child that is old enough to sin, is old 
enough to be saved. "It costs less to convert a child 
than to convict a criminal." 

Thorough, intelligent work with children should be 
insisted upon. Treat them as children, but not as babies. 
We have seen many children from eight to twelve years 



52 SIFTED WHEAT. 

of age pungently convicted of their sins, and clearly con- 
verted. Insist upon the child knowing by the witness 
of the Spirit. "How do you know you are converted ?" 
was asked of a little girl at the the altar. Quickly and 
with beaming face, she responded, "God has told me so." 
Let God speak to children as well as to those who are 
older. 

Children understand more truth than we sometimes 
think. A splendid, intelligent little girl of eleven sum- 
mers recently gave this clear testimony, "I know Jesus 
saves me, but I am not sanctified, but I am seeking and 
expect to be." This same child has already had a def- 
inite call to be a missionary, and no doubt her life will 
be thus dedicated to God's service. God convicts chil- 
dren and calls them just as he did Samuel. Be very 
careful not to hinder such a call. 

A man past fifty years of age said to the writer, "I 
used to attend Sunday-school over yonder," pointing to 
a building across the street. "I was about eight or ten 
years of age. I was much impressed and felt that I 
ought to be a Christian. I went to my parents and told 
them I wanted to be a Christian and join the church, but 
they told me no, 'I was too young, there was plenty of 
time.' That conviction left me, and has never returned, 
and I have spent more than fifty years in sin." 

Think of the fatal mistake these parents made. "Fifty 
years in sin," and all that means in its influence upon 
others. It might have been fifty years a Christian, lift- 
ing up Christ, as well as persuading many others to fol- 
low Him also. 



SIFTED WHEAT. 53 

ARROW POINTS. 

Did you have a revival at your church? "Yes." 
How many joined? "It was not a revival of addition, 
but one of substraction." Such a revival is needed in 
many churches. 

"I was converted forty years ago and have just about 
held my own ever since." Problem : How much has he 
grown ? 

"I learned to smoke and chew after I w r as converted, 
and it has never done me any particular harm, and I 
think I am just as good a Christian as anybody." Query : 
Which way has he grown ? 

"I cannot subscribe to the rules in the discipline ; they 
are too stringent. I think there is no harm in a game 
of cards, or a social dance in one's own parlor." Ques- 
tion : How far from actual apostasy is such a person ? 
Compare I Jno. 2 : 15-16 and Col. 3-17. 

"I joined church twenty years ago, but have never 
taken any part in testimony or prayer, yet I feel all right." 
Inquiry : is such a person all right ? 



PRAYER A NECESSITY. 

Matt. 26 : 36-46. 

1. — Of course it is. One can no more sustain the 
physical life without eating than the spiritual life with- 
out praying. Prayer begets prayer. The more one 
prays, the more one delights to pray. We may eat too 
much, or take too much physical exercise, but one can- 
not pray too much. Many pray too little. Praying is 



54 SIFTED WHEAT. 

not usually overdone. There need be no fear of fanati- 
cism at this point. 

"Pray if thou can or canst not speak, 
But pray in Jesus' name." 

2. — The purpose of prayer. Prayer reveals to us the 
supernatural. It is the only means by which we come 
into contact with the Spirit of God. Prayer brings health 
to the soul, enlarges its capacity and makes it capable of 
digesting large quantities of spiritual food. Prayer 
induces intelligent co-operation between the suppliant 
and God. Prayer makes faith possible, and gives clear 
vision to the soul's desire, or in other words prayer puts 
desire up in bundles and hands it up to God, in accord- 
ance with His never failing promise. God answers in 
blessing and the soul is enriched. 

3. — The power of prayer. All the great soul winners 
of the world have been men and women of mighty prayer. 
Many of their names are familiar. John Knox prayed 
and all Scotland was moved. Richard Baxter stained 
the walls of his chamber with praying breath, and sent 
a thrill of revival throughout all Europe. Wesley prayed 
three hours a day and started a revival that has swept 
around the whole world. Jonathan Edwards prayed all 
night and then preached a sermon that kindled a revival 
in a thousand churches. Chas. G. Finney prayed almost 
constantly a whole week, and then gave his remarkable 
revival lectures that have been used of God to save a 
multitude of souls. Hooper Crews prayed all night, that 
his church at Springfield, 111., might be revived, and God 
gave him 700 converts. A poor woman prayed a whole 
year for her church and God sent a revival that swept 



SIFTED WHEAT. 55 

hundreds into the Kingdom. In a camp meeting in 
Kansas within recent years, the spirit of prayer was 
predominant and God gave us 500 souls in ten days. 
Pray much if you would be a successful soul-winner. 



SUGGESTIONS ABOUT PRAYER. 

Kneel and pray before you leave your room in the 
morning. 

Always have your own private prayer before retiring 
for the night. 

A few moments of quiet meditation and prayer about 
the middle of the day will lighten the burdens of the 
afternoon. 

Make a prayer list of six persons you would like to 
see saved or sanctified. Prav definitely for these every 
day. « 

Prayer is just as essential to spiritual development 
as rain and sunshine are necessary to the growth of a 
plant or flower. Cease to pray and you cease to grow. 

Study James 5 : 16, concerning the "fervent effectual" 
prayer, and Luke 11: 5-13 about the "importunate" 
prayer, and Mark 1 1 : 24 for the all comprehensive prayer. 
Do you know by experience what it is to pray as indicated 
in these Scriptures? 



56 SIFTED WHEAT. 

SOUIBS FOR YOUNG PEOPLE TO CONSIDER. 

Do you have a time for secret prayer? If not, why? 
Are you reading your Bible with any degree of system ? 
Are you interested personally in the salvation of a sin- 
gle soul? 

How much self-denial do you practice for Jesus' sake? 
Read Matt. 16 : 24. 

Could you lead a soul to Christ, do you know how? 

What would you say or do? 

Are you patient at home with mother, sister or brother ? 

Do you ever think of remaining at home from service 
and permitting mother to go ? 

Perhaps she is out of the habit of going to church, do 
you ever ask her ? 

Are you striving to make the Young People's meeting 
helpful by your taking part in prayer and testimony ? 

Are your associates those who help to build you up in 
holy things? Or do they lead you to carelessness in 
speech and life? 

Are you able to confidently and sweetly say "yes" to 
all these questions ? If not, don't you think you ought ? 



JOY. 

Christians exhibit too little joy. Too many look as 
though they had just attended the funeral of all their 
friends, and that the Lord was dead also. Is this because 
the heart is barren? Why not "stock up" with a good 
supply of heavenly sunshine? The supply is not nearly 



SIFTED WHEAT. 57 

exhausted. In fact there is enough to go around. Look 
it out of the eyes, speak it with the mouth. "Shout for 
joy all ye that are upright in heart." 



ANNUAL REVIEW. 

2 Cor. 13 : Num. i : 2, 3 ; Zech. 4 : 6. 

Retrospect is quite often advantageous, as it will help 
us to avoid in the future the things that might have 
obstructed our pathway in the past. It is blessed, how- 
ever, to keep a clean record. No regret for the past. 
Each day's duties well done. At our best for God, 
whether in the counting room, kitchen or preaching 
the Gospel. However, personal examination, an inven- 
tory of stock on hand, will show us whether we have 
gained or lost. Self-examination should include : 

1. Do I know I am saved? This is the most im- 
portant consideration of all. To enjoy the witness of the 
Spirit to present salvation is absolutely essential as well 
as delightfully glorious. Anything short of this and the 
soul is in jeopardy. Some one might ask, what is the 
witness of the Spirit? In the language of Mr. Wesley, 
"The direct witness of the Spirit is an inward impres- 
sion on the souls of the believers, whereby the Spirit of 
God directly testifies to their own spirits that they are 
the children of God." Daniel Steele says, 'The voice of 
the Spirit within the believer is to all who know God the 
most real of all realities. It is sometimes called a seal 
which secures, authenticates and appropriates," 



58 SIFTED WHEAT. 

2. Am I helping to save others? This very naturally 
follows if one would enjoy a good, clear case of salva- 
tion. Has the past year been one of f ruitf ulness ? Have 
I influenced souls directly to seek God? These are im- 
portant questions. The great harvest-field is ripe; com- 
paratively, the laborers are few. Will not the Master 
hold me responsible for the loss of some fruit if I do 
not improve opportunity to thrust in my sickle? 

"Count that day lost 

Whose low descending sun, 

Views at thy hand 

No worthy action done." 

3. "Be perfect." This is the stirring exhortation of 
the apostle. (2 Cor. 13: n.) Shall I disregard it as of 
no consequence? Do the Scriptures speak in vain? It 
would seem so from the standpoint of many. The Scrip- 
tures not only urge perfection of heart, purity, holiness, 
but emphasize practical perfection, or perfection of works 
as well. (2 Tim. 3: 16-17.) Too many are far beneath 
the Scriptural standard. Let us believe the Word and 
meet its requirements. Then, and then only, are we safe. 

REVIEW REFLECTIONS. 

My words. 
My thoughts. 
My actions. 
My associates. 
My home life. 
My school life. 
My business life. 



SIFTED WHEAT. 59 

My spare time, how spent ? 
My money, how used ? 
My reading, what has it been ? 
My soul, what have I done to grow in grace? 
My opportunities for doing good, have they been 
improved ? 



SET A HIGH STANDARD. 

Young people should aim high. Too many are satis- 
fied with ordinary attainments. Coarseness, vulgarity, 
rudeness, the blighting and ruining, of characters are 
altogether too common. Thousands of young people 
have better stuff in them than this. Why not get your 
ideal up? Then put forth every effort to reach it. 
Make Christ the chief cornerstone of your life, then climb 
for the top. Strive to be the best Christian, the best in 
music, art, science, architecture, medicine or whatever 
is your chosen field of labor. Do not be satisfied with 
the ordinary, but push hard for the extraordinary. 
Climb, climb for the top. 



PRACTICAL CONSECRATION. 
Rom. 12: 1-21. 

The word "consecration" is much abused, or else 
many do not understand its import. Surely one who 
makes a present of himself to God, is not ready to do 
so again within thirty days, unless the sacrifice placed 



60 SIFTED WHEAT. 

on the altar has been deliberately removed. If intelli- 
gent consecration is made, the contract is as binding be- 
tween the individual and God as a marriage contract be- 
tween two lovers. Think of two persons being married 
every year or every six months or every "convention 
period" when consecration services are usually held. 
The ringing exhortation of the Apostle is, "present your 
bodies" and "be ye transformed (transfigured) by the 
renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that 
good, and acceptable, and PERFECT will of God." 
Then there is a "perfect will of God" for the individual 
believer to "prove." This must mean a perfect salva- 
tion, holiness — wholeness, soul-health, heart-purity, free- 
dom from indwelling sin, entire sanctification. So, 
"practical consecration" means the utter abandonment of 
one's self to God on the part of the individual, and the 
Divine recognition by the witness of the Spirit that such 
a consecration is accepted. At the end of every genuine 
consecration, faith asserts itself and it becomes easy to 
believe "the blood cleanseth." Anything less than this 
and consecration is unsatisfactory, and must be very 
often repeated. Then "practical consecration" simply 
means the deliberate "act" of the individual that God 
may sanctify him wholly. Amen! 



THOUGHTS ON CONSECRATION. 

The believer consecrates, the sinner surrenders. 
When Elijah's sacrifice was ready the fire fell. 
A sacrifice without fire is unsatisfactory. Be sure 
you wait for the fire. 



SIFTED WHEAT. 61 

They tarried ten days at Pentecost, but "suddenly" 
the fire fell. 

Making a present of yourself to God, is "your reason- 
able service." 

Entire consecration should be made with the word 
"forever" at the end of every struggle. 

Are you willing to consecrate THE ALL OF YOUR 
ALL? 

When you give your time and money to God re- 
member that it belongs to Him. Do not use it as though 
it were yours. 

God's time should be spent in sacred service. 
God's money should be used to glorify Him. 

CHRIST AND THE LIFE OF MAN. 

"My life from His life; 
His life for my life; 
His life in my life; 
My life for another's life; 
This life for eternal life." 

EFFECTS OF CONSECRATION. 

Heart purity, 

Soul rest. 

Your will the will of God. 

God's will your will. 

Consecration is concentration. 

"Quietness and assurance forever." 



62 SIFTED WHEAT. 

A perpetual Sabbath day in the soul. 
It may storm on Sunday, but still it is Sunday. 
To stay or go or be, at home or abroad, ALL FOR 
JESUS. 



NONE OF SELF AND ALL OF THEE. 

Oh, the bitter pain and sorrow 

That a time could ever be, 
When I proudly said to Jesus 

"All of self and none of thee." 

Yet he found me, I beheld him, 
Bleeding on the accursed tree 

And my wistful heart said faintly 
"Some of self and some of thee." 

Day by day his tender mercy 
Healing, helping full and free, 

Bro't me lower, while I whispered, 
"Less of self and more of thee." 

Higher than the highest heavens, 

Deeper than the deepest sea, 
Lord thy love at last has conquered 

"None of self and all of thee." 



SIFTED WHEAT. 63 

TRACT DISTRIBUTION. 

Young people who read this should make a point of 
distributing tracts. Carry some with you and pass them 
out to friends, or while traveling hand them to your 
traveling companions, or put one or two in each letter 
you send off. One of our most spiritual bishops has 
practiced tract distribution for years, and very seldom 
if ever sends off a letter without putting in one or two 
tracts. A number of Methodist preachers riding on a 
train returning from conference were enjoying them- 
selves with jokes and withal light conversation. A 
young Japanese student was riding on the same train. 
At every station he leaned out of the window and 
passed tracts to those standing on the railroad platform. 
He was not spending his time idly, but was interested 
in the salvation of souls and was preaching by this 
method as he went. 

A preacher who told me this said it was a stinging 
rebuke to him to notice this foreigner (heathen) cour- 
ageous enough to seek the souls of unsaved Amer- 
icans, while a lot of preachers passed the time in light 
conversation. 

Select your tracts carefully and use them liberally. 
Think of this and begin at once. 



64 SIFTED WHEAT. 

SOME MODERN MISSIONARY ACHIEVE- 
MENTS. 

Zech. 4: 6; 2 Chron. 16: 9; Ps. 118: 23; Matt. 21 : 42. 

The missionary achievements of the last fifty years 
have thrilled the world. Blot out the history of the 
progress of the Gospel and this old world would be dark 
indeed. Self-sacrifice, and utter abandonment to the 
whole will of God has characterized the thousands who 
have gone forth to bring light to them who sit in dark- 
ness. God has wonderfully blessed their labors, and 
only eternity will tell the good that has already been 
accomplished. 

Wherever the Gospel has been preached the light of 
civilization has penetrated. The united testimony of 
authors, travelers, scientists, statesmen and pagans, con- 
cede the marvelous benefits of the missionary movements. 
After seeing the marvelous effects of the Gospel on the 
New Zealanders, Charles Darwin, the noted scientist, 
wrote : "The lesson of the missionary is the enchanter's 
wand." 

Among the most conspicuous travelers who testify 
to the efficiency of missionary effort are David Livings- 
tone, Henry M. Stanley, Julian Hawthorne, Miss Gordon 
Cummings and H. H. Johnson. Mr. Johnson writes, 
"Huge is the debt which philologists owe to the labors 
of the British missionaries." He declares that nearly 
"two hundred African languages and dialects have been 
illustrated by grammars, dictionaries, vocabularies and 
translations of the Bible." Many of the tourists back 
up their testimony with their money^ and it is estimated 



Sifted Wheat. 65 

that foreign residents and tourists contribute not less 
than $300,000 annually to missions in India-, Carl Ritter, 
the "prince of geographers," declared that the conversion 
of the native New Zealanders is "the standing miracle of 
the age." Colonel Charles Denby, the United States 
Minister to China, a few years ago wrote: "Believe 
nobody when he sneers at the missionaries. The man 
is simply not posted on the work. The men or women 
who put in from 8 o'clock to 4 teaching Chinese children, 
on a salary that barely enables one to live, are heroes, or 
heroines, as truly as Grant or Sheridan, Nelson or Far- 
ragut. It is idle for any one to decry the missionaries or 
their work. I claim that it is difficult to say too much 
good of missionary work in China." Li Hung Chang 
chose as the private tutor for his sons, the Rev. Charles 
Teeny, an American missionary of Tientsin. He said 
of evangelical Christianity, "It is a good religion, and 
will be highly beneficial to the Chinese nation." 

MISSIONARY THOUGHTS. 

God reigns. 

The Gospel shall be preacned to all nations. 

Pray more for the missionaries. 

Give more to the cause of missions. 

Read more missionary literature. 

Go if God calls you, or send if He asks you. 

Do you know anything about the splendid missionary 
effort now being carried on among the Jews of this 
country ? 

At the beginning of tne sixteenth century the Chris- 
sated Wheat— 5 



66 SIFTED WHEAT. 

tian population of the world was 100,000,000. At the 
beginning- of the twentieth century it is 410,000,000. 

The total number of communicants and adherents to 
Protestant foreign missions at the beginning of this cen- 
tury was 5,585,000. 



VISITING THE SICK. 

Young people can bring joy and gladness to many a 
tired heart, that has been shut in for weeks because of 
illness. Take along a bunch of flowers, sing a verse or 
two of some favorite hymn, or if you cannot sing, read 
from the Bible, or helpful selections from some good 
book. There are too few young people who practice 
''giving the cup of cold water." Such ministries are 
strengthening, enabling and uplifting. To do this sort 
of work will give you a new testimony, enlarge your 
sympathies for poor, suffering humanity. Try it, and 
receive the reward of Matt. 25 : 40. 

SOME BIBLE FIRSTS. 

First the kingdom of God. Matt. 6: 33. 

First gave their own selves to the Lord. 2 Cor. 8:5. 

First pure, then peaceable, gentle. Jas. 3 : 17. 

First (in me) Jesus Christ might show forth all long 
suffering. 1 Tim. 1 : 16. 

First a willing mind. It is accepted according to 
that a man hath. 2 Cor. 8:12. 

First of the first fruits of thy land thou shalt bring 
into the house of the Lord thy God. Exodus 23 : 19. 



SIFTED WHEAT. 67 

First fruits (we) of His creatures. Jas. 1 : 18. 

First fruits unto God and the Lamb. Rev. 14: 4. 

First and great commandment : Thou shalt love the 
Lord thy God with all thy heart and with all thy soul 
and with all thy mind. Matt. 22 : 37. 



THE PURPOSE OF HIS COMING. 
Matt. 18: 11; John 10: 10. 

In all the comments on this topic by the Ep worth 
League writers, or those of the Christian Endeavor So- 
ciety, there is hardly a hint that the purpose of Christ's 
coming was more than to save the world. I would not 
minify this aspect of His purpose, it is vitally im- 
portant, but it is only a half Scriptural truth. Why not 
tell the young people in plain language "all" the purpose 
of His coming. "God so loved the world," etc., (John 
3 : 16) is true, but it is not all of the truth. "Christ 
also loved the church, and gave Himself for it; that He 
might sanctify it/ J (Eph. 5: 25-27) completes the real 
purpose of His coming. Then Christ came to do a 
"double work," not only to convert the world, but to 
sanctify the church. Both being Scriptural, I claim that 
one is just as important as the other. More, I assert 
that conversion is not the objective point in Scripture, 
but that sanctification is. This is the life "more abundant" 
in John 10 : 10. 

Why do not religious writers who ought to know 
better tell the whole truth? The people everywhere are 
kept in ignorance, while if the truth was emphasized 



68 SIFTED WHEAT. 

through the columns of the Epworth Herald and the 
Christian Endeavor World, thousands of young people 
as well as many others whom these influential papers 
reach, would get their eyes open, seek and obtain holi- 
ness, and become spiritual giants. Will not God hold 
the editors and writers on these important themes re- 
sponsible for covering up the truth and thus keeping 
thousands in ignorance who might be led into victorious 
Christian lives, who are now weak and vacillating? I 
believe He will, for some of these writers know better. 
Christ's heart-breaking prayer in the seventeenth chapter 
of St. John, is not for the world, but for "his disciples" 
that they might be sanctified, "that the world might be- 
lieve that thou hast sent me." What is the real thought 
of Scripture? that God can save this world "only" 
through a holy church. Why not tell the whole truth 
then, let us have a holy church, "filled with the Holy 
Ghost" — power — (dynamite) and sinners "will be reached 
in short order. 



HINTS CONCERNING THE FOREGOING TOPIC. 

Sin is "missing the mark." 

"The way of the transgressor is hard." 

"Lost" is a frightful word. LOST FOREVER, God 

pity the poor soul that makes that choice. 

Christ has come, no soul need be lost. And still 

every man has the right of choice. 

Every sinner trains with this crowd : Adulterers, 

fornicators, unclean, lascivious, idolators, witchcraft, 

hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, 



SIFTED WHEAT. 69 

heresies, envyings, murderers, drunkards, revelings and 
such like. 

Those who accept Christ have love, joy, peace, long- 
suffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, temper- 
ance. What is your choice? 

The life "more abundant" spoken of in John 10: 10, 
is the experience of entire sanctification. Do you en- 
joy it? 

The ''glorious church" that Christ is to own has 
neither spot, nor wrinkle, nor any such thing; but is holy 
and without blemish. Do you belong to this church? 



SUMMER SUGGESTIONS FOR YOUNG PEOPLE. 

There are two books you ought to read during your 
Summer vacation. I refer to Andrew Murray's two 
great books on prayer. "With Christ in the School of 
Prayer" and "The Ministry of Intercession." You can 
purchase these from the publishers of this book. 

Do not permit Satan to suggest any "let up" in your 
religious duties during the Summer months. Observe 
regular seasons of prayer and Bible reading if you would 
keep strong. "Study to show thyself approved unto 
God." 

There are unusual temptations during the Summer. 
Excursions, quite often on the Sabbath day. Outings, 
fishing parties that take one away from home. The body 
relaxes and the tendency is to let down in the moral tone 
of our lives. Almost before one is aware there is friv- 
olous conversation, lightness, compromise and some- 



70 SIFTED WHEAT. 

times wilful sin committed, and one comes back home 
physically recuperated, but morally weakened. "Watch 
and pray, lest ye enter into temptation." 

If you must rest your body and this is necessary, 
especially after a year of hard toil, plan to feed your 
mind and stimulate your moral nature. If your mind 
needs rest do not let it become impaired by utter relaxa- 
tion. A light stimulant in reading, the study of nature, 
or your traveling companions, will keep the mind fresh 
and more ready for active use. 

Whatever you do, do not "loaf." This is fatal to 
soul, mind and body. Satan soon finds something for 
idle hands to do. 

If you want to know something of the tremendous 
power of Satan in this world, read Bishop Merrill's 
little book, "The Crisis." It can be obtained of the 
Christian Witness Co. 

Seek for Christian association. Spend a part of 
your time in Christian conversation. If possible, try to 
win some soul to God. 

If you go away on a vacation take some good, 
religious tracts with you and hand them out to strangers. 
Do not let the Summer pass without some definite, per- 
sonal work for God. 

Whatever you do, KEEP RELIGIOUS. Do not 
allow anything to pierce your armor. Satan will do his 
best to hinder and defeat you. "But God is able to 
make ALL grace abound toward you ; that ye, ALWAYS 
having ALL sufficiency in ALL things, may abound to 
EVERY good work." " 



SIFTED WHEAT. 71 

HOW THE WEAK BECOME STRONG. 
2 Cor. 9:10; Isa. 41 : 10 ; 58 : 11. 

There are a great many weak Christians. Paul found 
some at Corinth, "Babes in Christ, yet carnal." Car- 
nality produces weakness. Quite often manifested in 
fear-slavish fear. One way to spell fear is COWARD. 
Cowardice is weakness, weakness is loss of strength, loss 
of strength is lifelessness, and lifelessness means death. 
It is not far from one end of this catalogue to the other. 
The fundamental of real Christian strength is to have 
the "old man" crucified. Destroy the cause of weakness 
and there will usually be spiritual strength and health. 
Holiness is only another name for soul health. Sin in 
the soul is like fever in the blood, it indicates an un- 
healthy condition. The "Great Physician" is able to 
cope with the disease. He has been able to cure all who 
have willingly and cheerfully submitted their case to 
Him. 

Another means of strength is to use what God gives 
you. God does not waste grace upon any one. If you 
would have strength you must give out to others. Ven- 
ture to begin now. The duty may be humble, but trying 
will invigorate and strengthen. "For whosoever will 
save his life shall lose it: and whosoever will lose his 
life for my sake shall find it." Matt. 16: 25. An old 
teacher says, that the first law of eloquence is action, the 
second law, action, and the third law, action. This ap- 
plies to soul growth. 

Another means of strength is intensity. Do what 
you do with all your might. Do your best whether the 
undertaking is great or small. Dr. Keen said he "let 



72 SIFTED WHEAT. 

out the last link every time/' Prepare, concentrate, 
push and bring something to pass for Jesus' sake. 

Prayer and meditation bring soul strength. Most 
Christians do not pray enough, and many cannot concen- 
trate their mind for meditation. Secret prayer and 
public prayer is a means of strength. If the mind has 
become dissipated by "wandering thoughts" it will be 
difficult at first to concentrate for meditation. But a 
little careful practice will overcome almost any difficulty. 
Read Phil. 4 : 8. 

Bible reading, not Bible "skimming," will help to 
make one strong. Have a system and follow it. Study 
the twentieth Psalm for strength. Know what you do 
know well. Remember that "ye shall receive power 
after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you," and that 
Paul declares that we are to be "strengthened with might 
by his Spirit in the inner man." 



HINTS. 

"I am serving the Lord in my poor, weak way." 
It's no wonder you are having a hard time. 

"I never could do much, I have always been so 
afraid." "Perfect love casteth out fear." 

The eulogy of a country sexton over a dead deacon. 
"This corpse joined the church forty years ago." 

"My mother and grandmother before me were un- 
usually timid, and I think it must be hereditary with 
me." The Lord bless you, sister, your family relations 
in this respect are legion. Have you ever tried the 



SIFTED WHEAT. 73 

"Double Cure," it hardly ever fails to relieve an exces- 
sive case of timidity. 

"I want more power." Perhaps a good case of "en- 
tire sanctification" would relieve your distress. 



MISSION GIVING. 

Young people should give, and give systematically 
to the great cause of missions. There are scores of 
church members who consider the matter of missions of 
so little importance that they think they are quite liberal 
if they contribute 25 cents annually. Thousands do not 
give anything. The work at home and abroad is of the 
utmost importance. This is now especially true in 
foreign fields, where thousands are crying out for the 
"living bread." Shall these poor, benighted, Christless 
souls cry in vain? Others are in school, and must be 
turned away unless there is immediate help. Many of 
these have no parents, and must be turned out upon a 
merciless world to suffer untold agony and shame a 
thousand times worse than death. Awake! AWAKE! 
my young friends, and put aside some money for this 
extremely needful cause. Ask your pastor, or write to 
Dr. A. B. Leonard, or Bishop J. M. Thoburn, 150 Fifth 
avenue, New York, for information. 



74 SIFTED WHEAT. 

SIX THINGS GOD WILL DO. 
Ezek. 34: 11-15. 

1. "I will both search my sheep and seek them out." 
Luke 19: 10; Jno. 15: 16. 

2. "I will deliver them." Complete. Matt. 1:21; 
1 Thess. 1 : 10; Gal. 1:4; Luke 1 : 74, 75. 

3. "I will bring them out from the people." Sepa- 
rateness. 2 Cor. 6: 14-18; Rom. 12: 1-2. 

4. "Will bring them to their own land." Gen. 17: 
1-8; Gal. 3: 29. 

5. "I will feed them in good pasture." Satisfac- 
tion. Jer. 31: 14; Ps. 107: 9; Ps. 36: 8; Prov. 19: 23. 

6. "I will cause them to lie down." Soul rest. 
Matt. 11 : 28-30; Heb. 4-6: Ps. 23. 

YOUNG WOMEN, BIG HATS, AND HOLINESS. 

Common sense in dress, as in other things, is need- 
ful in this day. I would not deprive any of my 
girl readers of their good looks, but would rather 
add to than take from. But a few of our really 
religious girls, who have sought and obtained the 
experience of holiness, are in danger of becoming 
top-heavy. The enormous hats they wear are un- 
becoming, unwieldly and very grossly advertise the 
pride of the world. Girls, there is imminent danger 
here. Pride is a form of sin that sits upon the throne 
of many a heart. In the ordinary church where the con- 
gregation is made up largely of Christians, if one was 
to judge by the headgear, with few exceptions, you can- 
not tell a Christian from a harlot. I would not have any 



SIFTED WHEAT. 75 

one go to the other extreme, and look like a "walking 
coffin/' but I believe there is a sensible, neat, tidy way 
to dress as becometh saints. 

Many a church member is on the edge of a precipice 
here, and some, I am afraid, are already over. Pride 
has become the root sin to final and utter apostasy. 'My 
girl friends, beware ! ! 



WHY TOTAL ABSTINENCE IS BEST. 
Rom. 14: 13-23. 

The only safe place for any young person is to be 
absolutely temperate. 

Alcohol in any form such as beer, light wines, cham- 
pagne or whiskey is vitally injurious to body, mind and 
soul. Thousands who have said they could taste it or 
let it alone have gone down to utter defeat. Many a 
young man starting out with a bright prospect of a suc- 
cessful future, took his first glass of wine from the fair 
hand of a winsome, thoughtless girl in her mother's 
parlor, and in less than one year staggered across the 
threshold of his own mother's home for the first time, 
drunk. Such a sight is enough to make angels weep. 
Follow this young man and soon his mind is blurred, a 
bestial look takes the place of the once happy expression 
on his face, sin rules him, habit has conquered, friends 
forsake him, he becomes a companion of the low and vile, 
dies long before his time, and goes down to a drunkard's 
hell. Trace his speedy career — a glass of wine from the 
hand of a fair young lady down to hell. Girls, whatever 



76 SIFTED WHEAT. 

you do, do not tempt a young man to drink. And in this 
connection let me urge my girl readers to demand total 
abstinence of their gentlemen friends. This sort of 
standard will help and save many a young man. If girls 
would be firm here it would do a vast amount of good. 
Oh, the wrecked homes and broken hearted wives where 
girls have married tippling young men with the hope 
of reforming them after marriage. Hopeless task! fatal 
blunder! For the sake of everything that is sacred, 
avoid it. "Touch not, taste not, handle not," and you 
will be safe from this deadly serpent. 



SUGGESTIONS. 

Total abstinence is best from a 

Sanitary standpoint. 
Scientific standpoint. 
Social standpoint. 
Monetary standpoint. 
Mental standpoint. 
Moral standpoint. 

PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS. 

How many saloons in your town? 

Watch the saloons some Saturday night and count 
the men who go in. 

Note how many of these appear to be less than 30 
years of age. 

The internal revenue reports say the saloons of this 
country take in an average of $15 per day. At this rate 



SIFTED WHEAT. 87 

WITH CHRIST. 



The soul is 

Happy. 

Contented. 

Joyous. 

Peaceful. 

Restful. 

Prayerful. 

Saved. 



BE COURTEOUS. 

It pays at all times to be courteous. One may not 
feel just like it, the circumstances may not always war- 
rant an effort, but in the end it will pay to act the gentle- 
man. The Rev. Charles F. English tells of a young 
lawyer of brilliant prospects, who located in a Western 
town, and began the practice of his profession. One 
day soon after he had opened his law office, he was 
riding on the street cars, when an influential business man 
noticed him, and thinking to introduce himself and en- 
courage the young man, he moved across to the other 
side of the car, by the side of the young lawyer, and said, 
"And what is your name?" "My name is mud," 
answered the young man curtly. "Oh," said the other, 
"excuse me for interrupting you." The years went by 
and the young lawyer was successful, and finally aspired 
to a certain political office of prominence. The politi- 
cians said to him, "If you can secure the votes of the 



88 SIFTED WHEAT. 

men working in mine you are sure of election." 

He visited the mine, asked for the superintendent, who 
soon came into his presence. With much dignity the 

young lawyer said, "My name is ." "Ah," said 

the mine superintendent, "when did you change your 
name?" "Change my name?" replied the political 
aspirant, "I have not changed my name." "Oh, yes 
you have, for you told me on the street car a few 
years ago that your name was mud." "Oh, ah ! I know 
— that was only a joke; have a cigar." "No," said the 
superintendent harshly, "your name is mud at this mine 
for any favor whatever." The election came off, and 
the young lawyer was defeated by just seventeen votes, 
and these votes were cast by men at the mine. 

Again, I say it pays to be courteous, to act the 
gentleman anywhere — everywhere. 

FOR PERSONAL REFLECTION. 

Is Christ a transient visitor or an abiding guest ? 

Am I more like Christ today than ever before? 

"If Christ dwells in us, we shall be in no doubt of it; 
neither will other people." 

Do I reflect the Christ-character in my home life ? 

Are you lonely? Think oi; Christ's omnipresence, 
and be lonely no more. 



SIFTED WHEAT. 89 

SOME "DONTS." 

Don't worry. 

Don't fret. 

Don't grumble. 

Don't growl. 

Don't complain. 

Don't find fault. 

Don't talk about your neighbors. 

Don't neglect the means of grace. 

Don't forget your secret prayer. 

Don't jeopardize your soul for any reason whatever. 



HINDRANCES TO THE EVANGELIZATION OF 
THE WORLD. 

A card-playing, theatre-going, and dancing church. 

The frightful complicity of church members in per- 
mitting the liquor traffic to live. 

A time-serving, salary-seeking ministry. 

A ministry that opposes Bible holiness. 

A ministry who fail to preach regeneration for the 
sinner and entire sanctification for the believer. 

Colleges that retain men in important "chairs" whose 
orthodoxy is questionable. 

Lack of entire consecration on the part of thousands 
of church members. 

Lack of interest in the great cause of missions. 



90 SIFTED WHEAT. 

BEGINNINGS. 

Always begin the day with prayer. Pray before you 
leave your bedroom, if possible. Always have your own 
prayer in secret. Then a holiness text book is good to 
have near at hand. You can soon commit a verse of 
Scripture that you can carry with you throughout the 
day. Learn the Scripture just as it is in the Bible. Thus 
beginning the day by communion with God, by meditating 
upon His Word will make you strong to meet the severest 
tests of life. 

Begin to look for opportunities to do good. Begin 
to plan that you may win some unsaved friend to Christ. 
Begin to expect results from your Christian life and 
service. The world needs "beginners who begin." Begin 
today, do not put it off until tomorrow. 



THE PROGRAM OF CHRISTIANITY. 
Matt. 4-23; 10: 7, 8. 

PART I. 

A peculiarly dressed individual, with shaggy hair, 
bronzed cheek, keen, penetrating look, wild waving of 
hands, stentorian voice, shouting to a multitude of people 
who have gathered from Jerusalem, Judea and the region 
round to hear this strange preacher. His boldness, fear- 
lessness and deep spirituality stamp him as a unique and 
powerful character. His main theme is "repentance." 
His burning words strike terror to the multitude of sinful 



SIFTED WHEAT. 91 

men and women who hear him. Soon there are sobs and 
crying, with a deep sense of sinfulness as the great 
preacher warns them to flee from the wrath to come and 
to "believe on him who should come after him." Hun- 
dreds forsake their sins, believe and are baptized. Who 
is this marvelous preacher? his name is John. He is pre- 
paring the way, the forerunner of the one who is 
"mightier." Who shall baptize with the Holy Ghost and 
fire. 



PART II. 

The little city Bethlehem is crowded with people. 
Every available place of entertainment is occupied. But 
yonder comes a man and woman. They have the appear- 
ance of ordinary peasants. They look worn and tired. 
The woman has an attractive face — it is handsome. Deep 
blue eyes, soft flushed cheek. Gentleness marks every 
line of her countenance. She is no ordinary personage. 
But she looks weary, and of necessity must soon find rest. 
The Inns are all full, there are no kind friends to bestow 
hospitality, and as a last resort they make their way 
to the stable, where the camels and mules are munching 
the dried grass provided for their food. Perhaps a bed 
can be made of this, which is better than sitting in some 
doorway, or straggling about the street. A heavenly light 
seems to gather about the manger in which they lie. A 
lone star of extraordinary brilliancy stands directly over 
the place, and shepherds watching the sheep on the hillside 
hear music too sacred for earth. As these unnatural phe- 
nomena are occurring the woman is awakened, and tired 
nature yields to pain and travail, and "unto you is born 



92 SIFTED WHEAT. 

this day in the city of David, a Saviour, which is Christ 
the Lord." Hallelujah! "And thou shalt call his name 
Jesus, for he shall save his people from their sins." 



PART III. 

Thirty-three years have passed. The child born 
amidst such humble surroundings has grown to man- 
hood. Many of these years have been truly wonderful, 
especially the last three. No pen can describe them. 
The words of comfort, the healing the sick and raising 
the dead. Sins forgiven and the joy that only Christ can 
impart poured into many lives. His friends are legion, 
but some stand near to his heart. They have been close 
to him these three years. No wonder when the shadows 
of the cross fall athwart their pathway, and their loving 
friend and yours, must be nailed to the rugged tree that 
hearts almost break. It must be so, the cross must be- 
come the emblem of deliverance. 

"And there he died, 

A King crucified, 

To save a poor sinner like me." 



PART IV. 

Neither death nor the grave could hold their victim. 
He looks upon his friends again. Their hearts burn within 
them. They do not understand, but His comforting 
words bring cheer. "If I go away I will send the Com- 
forter," You need not be lonely, "Tarry at Jerusalem 



SIFTED WHEAT. 93 

until you are endued with power from on high." They 
follow him out to Bethany's knoll, he puts his hands upon 
them in blessing, and a luminous cloud stoops down and 
takes him out of their sight. What a life! What a tri- 
umph ! A crucified, a resurrected, a risen Saviour, Glory ! 
They tarry ten days, and the promised Comforter 
comes. One hundred and twenty "are all filled with the 
Holy Ghost." They get "pure hearts." Fire from heaven 
is both upon them and in them. The Church is estab- 
lished to be a flame of fire, to point sinful men to the 
"Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world." 



PRACTICAL APPLICATION. 

This world is the theatre. 

Every inhabitant is an actor, and each must play his 
part. The acting can be degrading, indifferent or com- 
mendable. 

If we follow the leader, Jesus Christ, in thought and 
life, we are assured of proficiency and a final reward. This, 
then, is Christianity's program. 

1. To call men to repentance. 

2. To walk with Christ in godly living. 

3. To "tarry" until each has his pentecost. 

4. To conquer sin, death and the grave. 

5. To ascend triumphant and be forever with the 
Lord. 



94 SIFTED WHEAT. ' 

PERFECT LOVE 

Does not drive. 

Does not maul. 

Does not complain. 

Does not scold. 

Does not grow impatient. 

Is not gruff. 

Is not censorious. 

Is not inhospitable. 

Is not fault finding. 

Is not continually berating holiness people. 

"-OLOGY." 

Young people should become proficient in — 
Knee-ology. 
Bible-ology. 
Altar-ology. 
Bench-ology. 
Straw-ology. 
Prayer-ology. 
Praise-ology. 



THE CALL TO SEPARATION. 

2 Cor. 6: 14-18; 1 John 2: 15-17. 

This topic is timely. I wish that it might be especi- 
ally emphasized everywhere. Perhaps the greatest 
danger to the Christian Church today is its compromise 
with worldliness. In fact, there is but little premium, 
any more, put upon church membership, but real character 



SIFTED WHEAT. 95 

is above par. One can no more be a Christian, in the true 
Bible sense, and do un-Christian deeds, than he could 
steal and not be a thief. God's people must be a separate 
people. Christ came to save us from our sins, not in 
them, "There is therefore now no condemnation to them 
who are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but 
after the Spirit." This being true, the one who ceases 
to follow after the Spirit will immediately feel condemna- 
tion, and condemnation as indicated here is surely a loss 
of justification. If we follow after the Spirit he will 
lead us, not into a questionable place, where the soul's 
eternal interest might be endangered, but into more light, 
and a desire to be Christ-like. "Take my yoke upon you, 
and learn of me." Think of a Christian being, yoked to 
Jesus, and then trying to pull him into a theatre, dance 
hall, or around a progressive euchre card table. Christ 
never did, and never will enter into such sinful practices, 
and you, my dear reader, if you pursue any form of 
worldliness, will surely "break yoke" with Jesus. One 
cannot be both a sinner and a Christian. We are either 
on the side of Christ, and serving him, or on the side 
of the devil and serving him. Where do you stand ? 

WHY A CHRISTIAN SHOULD BE SEPARATE 
FROM THE WORLD. 

It is commanded by the Word of God. 

Belial and Christ have no companionship. 

All forms of worldliness weaken Christian character. 

Worldliness destroys the appetite for prayer. 

Worldliness is a hindrance to thoughtful meditation. 

Worldliness keeps one from Bible study. 

To follow Christ means self-denial. 

To follow the world means selfish gratification. 



96 SIFTED WHEAT. 

A WORLDLY CHURCH MEMBER. 

Stands in the way of sinners. 
Brings the name of Christ into reproach. 
Makes the Christian Church a laughing stock. 
Frustrates the efforts of true Christian workers in 
their endeavor to save others. 

Will go down at last to hell with all other sinners. 

A CHRISTIAN MUST BE CLEAN. 

From all filthiness of the flesh and spirit. 2 Cor. 7:1. 
Body the temple of the Holy Ghost. 1 Cor. 6 : 19-20. 
Temple of God. 1 Cor. 3 : 16-17. 
Separateness. 2 Cor. 6: 17-18. 

Friendship of the world is enmity with God. Jas. 4 : 4. 
' Love not the world. 1 John 2: 15, 16. 
Not to please men. Gal. 1 : 10. 
Cannot serve two masters. Matt. 6: 24. 
Abstain from all appearances of evil. 1 Thess. 5 : 22. 

"UNEQUALLY YOKED TOGETHER." 

How any pure-minded Christian young woman can 
consent to unite herself in marriage to an unsaved, to- 
bacco chewing, whiskey drinking young man; or how 
a nice, clean, manly Christian young man, can select as 
a companion through life a giddy, frivolous, worldly 
young woman, is a mystery too much for me. I am con- 
vinced that such unions are unscriptural, result in much 
unhappiness, very often divorce, and generally jeopardize 
the souls of both parties. 

I wish I might warn my young readers who contem- 



sifted Wheat. 9¥ 

plate such a hazardous undertaking. Better live a few 
years in single blessedness, than make shipwreck of life 
by an unfortunate union. I think there are more girls 
in danger here than young men. If girls would demand 
a higher standard of character of their young men 
friends, it would straighten up many a careless fellow. 
To do this takes grit, grace and gumption. A splendid 
young lady told the writer of her engagement to a young 
man, to all appearances, very respectable. A hint came 
to her that years before he had been unclean. She asked 
him about it, he said it 'was true. She immediately broke 
the engagement. She was a pure girl, and demanded the 
same from the one she should marry. Girls, do not marry 
a worldly young man, for in so doing you endanger your 
future happiness, consent to be "unequally yoked to- 
gether," and, as a result, you might lose your soul. 

YOUNG MEN WHO USE TOBACCO. 

Young men who use this vile stuff seem to be on the 
increase. Many -who call themselves Christians are ad- 
dicted to the habit. It is estimated that $800,000,000 is 
spent for tobacco each year in this country alone. This 
is frightful, indeed. Is it not time that the ministry and 
all good Christians were crying out against this evil. 
This awful waste is surely a very great sin in the sight of 
God. Young men who' use the weed should desist at once 
before the habit has fastened itself upon the life. This 
habit does not stop with the individual user, but is 
passed from generation to generation. The hereditary 
influence is quite often detrimental, and children are 
cursed before they are born by tobacco-using parents. 

Sifted Wheat— 7 



98 SIFTED WHEAT. 

If any of my readers should find this habit already 
formed, cry to God at once, and he will take out the 
appetite and set you free. Tobacco 

Is useless ; 

Is filthy; 

Is detrimental to good health ; 

Prevents the highest mental, physical or moral state; 

And usually leads to other grosser sins. 



A SUGGESTION IN ADDITION. 

2 Pet. i : 4-9. 

First, ^Partakers of the divine nature." Or, in other 
words, laying a sure foundation. This begins in our 
regeneration, and is complete with our entire sanctifica- 
tion. No heart is "wholly" pure as long as there is any 
sin in it. Hence, to be "saved from all sin" we must 
know Jesus as a Saviour, and the Holy Spirit as our 
Sanctifier, The heart is then "rooted and grounded in 
love." Love is the very best soil out of which to grow 
a Christian experience. To sustain such an experience 
we must "give all diligence." This is a very strong ex- 
pression, and means great earnestness, continued activity. 
There is no such person as a lazy Christian. Laziness 
is next to devilishness. If Christianity means anything, 
it means earnestness at white heat. Faith is the link that 
unites the heart with God, both in the inception of grace 
and its continuance. ""Without faith it is impossible to 
please him." Then follow seven beautiful Christian 
graces that go to make up a symmetrically developed 



SIFTED WHEAT. 99 

Christian manhood. To be void of any one of these is 
a "rung- broken in the ladder." Note them carefully : 

Virtue. 

Knowledge. 

Temperance. 

Patience. 

Godliness. 

Brotherly kindness. 

Charity (Love). 

Seven is the perfect number used throughout the 
Bible, so if one is to have a perfect Christian experience, 
these graces are absolutely necessary, with no single one 
lacking. "For if these things be in you, and abound, they 
make you that ye neither be barren nor unfruitful in the 
knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ." 

BIBLE MEANING OF THE SEVEN GRACES. 

The following from Adam Clarke is suggestive : 

Virtue — Courage or fortitude, the energy to be used 
in the Christian calling. 

Knowledge — True wisdom by which your faith will 
be increased and your courage directed and preserved 
from degeneration into rashness. 

Temperance — (self-control) — Keeping every sense 
under proper restraint, and never permitting the animal 
part to subjugate the rational. 

Patience — Bearing all trials and difficulties with an 
even mind, enduring in all, and persevering through all. 

Godliness — Piety toward God; a deep, reverential, 
religious fear; not only worshiping God with every be- 

L. of CI* 



100 SIFTED WHEAT. 

coming outward act. but adoring, loving and magnifying 
him in the heart ; a disposition indispensable to salvation. 

Brotherly Kindness — The strongest attachment to 
Christ's flock; feeling each as a member of your own 
body. 

Charity — Love to the whole human race, even to your 
persecutors. 



MORE PRAYER. 

Many are not getting from the Father what he has to 
give, because they do not pray enough. Prayer unlocks 
the rich store-houses of the skies. The reason why 
much of the ministry is barren today is a substitution of 
book knowledge — too much time spent in reading, and 
not enough in praying. One sermon given by the Holy 
Ghost is worth a whole ton of "gotten up" sermons by 
the minister. Any man or woman who prays can live a 
holy life and bring things to pass. James says that there 
is a "prayer of faith," but how few know anything about 
it. In a recent meeting, where the storm drove us in from 
the tent, the writer gave a Bible reading, emphasizing the 
"prayer of faith." There were but a few present, but in 
the company was one woman who dertermined she would 
persevere in prayer until she had the answer in advance 
that souls would be saved in the tent meeting just begin- 
ning. God heard her, and gave her the "rest" of faith. 
She said she reached the place as if there was nothing 
else to pray about. She told the writer, and he immedi- 
ately felt that simply by going ahead, the victory was 
sure. God gave us a wonderful sweep, and one hundred 
and fifty souls sought the Lord in fifteen days, and many 



SIFTED WHEAT. 101 

of these were gloriously delivered from sin. Hallelujah! 
All the great soul winners have been men and women of 
mighty prayer, continuing hours and days at a time. If 
you would really get anything good and great from God, 
you must wear some blisters on your knees. Will not 
the young friends who read this, resolve to pray more, 
and begin at once? 

NEGLECTED FIELDS. 

The rich. 

The very poor. 

The firemen of our cities and towns. 

The policemen who guard our property. 

The old soldiers. 

The saloon-keepers' children. 

MORE WORKERS ARE NEEDED 

To visit jails and prisons. 
Pray with the sick and dying in hospitals. 
Carry cheer to those in infirmaries. 
Talk Christ to the old soldiers, who are shut up in 
the Soldiers' Home. 

To carry flowers to the Old Ladies' Home. 

STRICTLY PERSONAL. 

The butcher. 
The baker. 
The milkman. 
The gas man. 
The grocer. 
The lawver. 



102 SIFTED WHEAT. 

The doctor. 
The insurance man. 
Your loved ones. 
Your neighbor. 
That family across the street. 

Have you said anything to these about their souls, 
and Christ's power to save ? 

"Let none hear you idly saying, 

'There is nothing I can do/ 
While the souls of men are dying, 

And the Master calls for you. 
Take the task he gives you gladly ; 

Let His work your pleasure be; 
Answer quickly when He calleth ; 

'Here am I, send me, send me.' " 

WHAT GOD USES. 

i Cor. i : 27. 
Foolish things. 
Weak things. 
Base things. 
Despised things. 
"Are not" things. 

"ABLE". 

Able to deliver. Dan. 3: 17; 6: 20. 

Able to hold. John 10 : 29. 

Able to subdue all things. Phil. 3 : 21. 

Able to succor. Heb. 2: 18. 

Able to save to the uttermost. Heb. 7: 25. 

Able to keep from falling. Jude 24. 



SIFTED WHEAT. 103 

FREEDOM FOR SERVICE. 
2 Tim. 2:4; Gal. 5:1; Heb. 12 : 1-2. 

Freedom from what ? The greatest freedom that any 
person can enjoy in this life is freedom from sin. Thou- 
sands do not believe that this is possible, but make an ex- 
cuse for committing sin. What does the Word say? 
Thou shalt call his name Jesus for he shall save his 
people from their sins. — Matt. 1 : 21. 

Behold the Lamb of God which taketh away the sin 
of the world. — John 1 : 29. For this purpose the Son 
of God was manifested, that he might destroy the works 
of the devil. — 1 John 2 : 8. 

Here is freedom indeed. Freedom from sins com- 
mitted and freedom from sin inherited. Christ's profici- 
ency and sufficiency. No heart need struggle with in- 
ward foes. Thank God the "old man" of sin can be 
crucified. This is the freedom required in the New 
Testament, and then follows service. A clear case of 
justification sustained, will be sure sooner or later to lead 
to a definite case of sanctification. "Sanctified and meet 
for the Master's use, and prepared unto every good work. 
— 2 Tim. 2: 21. 

To purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of 
good works. — Titus 2 : 14. 

Please note that work — service, follow purity — sancti- 
fication. This is the divine order, and every one should 
know it. O, that every church member who reads these 
lines would seek and obtain a clean heart. God will have 
a clean church. A clean church is a powerful church. 
Here then is the order. 

Regeneration, freedom from sins committed — the en- 



104 SIFTED WHEAT. 

tanglement of the world. Entire sanctification, freedom 
from original sin, the besetting sin, perfect liberty in 
Christ Jesus, and ready for service or sacrifice. 

WHERE SATAN S OWS HIS SEED. 

The dance hall. 

The fashionable panor dance. 

The card table. 

The progressive euchre party. 

The theater. 

The church theatrical performance. 

The circus. 

The horse race at the county fair. 

So-called Christians who indulge in any of these 
things are usually devoid of spiritual power, have no 
appetite for prayer or Bible reading, and cannot be de- 
pended upon by the pastor for revival work. 

"Live, 

Vile, and 

Evil 
Have the selfsame letters : 

He lives 

But vile 
iWhom evil holds in fetters." 

A SUFFICIENT PLAN. 

It is God-given. It therefore cannot be improved 
upon. It meets every human need. It satisfies every 
human desire. It fills the longing of the soul. Why not 
accept it just as it is. The mighty, gigantic plan of sal- 
vation, provided by the Father, purchased by the Son, 



SIFTED WHEAT. 105 

and applied by the Holy Ghost, is all comprehensive, all 
sufficient and all enduring. Hallelujah! "It just suits 
me." College professors, doctors of depravity, psycholo- 
gists, philosophers, theologians and all others who are 
offering substitutes or trying to improve on God's plan 
had better stop deceiving innocent souls, seek and obtain 
a clean heart and go to preaching the "everlasting Gos- 
pel" to a dying world, for the old Gospel is still the 
power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth. 
God knows how to save this world. Let's work to God's 
plan. 



COMMUNION AND TRANSFORMATION. 

Exod. 34 : 35-39 ; Luke 9 : 28, 29. 

Communion with God, a frail finite being of flesh and 
blood talking with the great God of ten thousand million 
worlds. We may not be able to explain the divine phil- 
osophy, but it is true nevertheless. God's children do 
talk with him, and he with them. And they understand 
each other, too. "He calleth his own sheep by name 
* * * and the sheep follow him : for they know his voice." 

1. Communion with God brings strength. Secret 
prayer is a sure cure for moral weakness. It will make 
you strong to bear the burdens of the day, whether at 
home or in business. It will make you strong to do your 
Christian duty even among ungodly companions. It will 
keep you from worldly entanglement, or any compromise 
with evil. It will rid you of cowardice, which is a form 
of much spiritual weakness. It will give you a grip on 
eternal verities that is not easy to slip. "A little talk with 



106 SIFTED WHEAT. 

Jesus makes it right, all right ;" but a constant talk with 
Jesus makes it "righter" and "brighter." 

2. Communion with God gives a "fixedness" of heart. 
That means established or a resolute, unswerving de- 
termination to be true at all hazards. This is what is 
greatly needed. Many Christians "fizzle" out when a 
real test comes. Communion with God gives moral 
courage and backbone. Keeping "prayed up" will de- 
feat the enemy in an emergency. We need a whole host 
of young men and women who can say "NO" and mean 
it, to all the devil's flatteries and intrigues. Heart to 
heart talks with Jesus make this possible. 

3. Communion with God makes the Christian life one 
of real joy. Joy is heavenly sunlight "boxed up" in the 
heart. It makes the senses of the soul jingle and tingle. 
Take the lid off and it expresses itself in a glad shout 
of Glory! or Hallelujah! Of course the face shines 
because there is shine on the inside. Put enough fire 
in any black stove and it will soon shine through. This 
sorrowing, sin-sick old world needs whole brigades of 
joyful Christians. Much prayer will make a hot heart, 
a shiny face and a joyful life. 

HINDRANCES TO COMMUNION WITH GOD. 

Light, frivolous talking and jesting. 
Novel reading and much that in this day is called 
fiction. 

Sunday excursions. 

Sunday visiting. 

Sunday buggy riding simply for pleasure. 

Neglect of the means of grace 



SIFTED WHEAT. 107 

Neglect of Bible reading. 

Neglect of family prayer. 

Loafing in stores and around street corners. 

"PRAY." 

Pray at home. 
Pray on the street. 
Pray in your office. 
Pray in the store. 
Pray in the school room. 
Pray in the morning. 
Pray at noon. 
Pray at night. 

If necessary drive yourself to prayer. 
Pray without ceasing.' , 



o 



AT THE FEET OF JESUS. 

The place of pardon. — Luke 7 : 38. 

The place of healing. — Matt. 15 : 30. 

The place of learning. — Luke 10 : 39 ; Deut. 33 : 3. 

The place of (successful) prayer. — Mark 5 : 22 ; 7 : 25. 

The place of thanksgiving. — Luke 17 : 16. 

The place of worship. — Rev. 1 : 17. 

The place of comfort. — John 1 1 : 32. 

The place of rest. — Luke 8 : 35. 

WHEN YOU HAVE CROSSED JORDAN. 

Beware of idolatry. — Deut. 4: 15-24. 
Destroy the Lord's enemies. — Deut. 25 : 19. 
Love the Lord, obey his voice, cleave unto him, for 
he is thy life. — Deut. 30 : 20. 



108 SIFTED WHEAT. 

Beware lest thine heart be lifted up and thou forget 
the Lord thy God. — Deut. 8: 11-14. 

Honor and obey God's word. — Deut. 6: 1, 2. 

Be not unequally yoked together with unbelievers. — 
Deut 7 : 1-3. 

Take heed to yourself, that your heart be not de- 
ceived, etc. — Deut. 11: 16. 

Be upright, just and honest. — Deut. 19: 14-21. 

Exercise brotherly kindness and charity. — Deut. 15: 

7,8. 

Keep the feasts of the Lord. — Deut. 16 : 6, 9, 13 ; with 
1 Cor. 5 : 8. 

Give the first fruits to God and testify. — Deut. 26 : 1,2. 



FACTORS NECESSARY TO THE EVANGELIZA- 
TION OF THE WORLD IN THIS 
GENERATION. 

Isa. 40 : 29-31 ; Acts 1 : 4-8 ; Luke 10:2; Prov. 29 : 18. 

The principal factor necessary to evangelize the world 
in this generation or any other, is a wholly sanctified min- 
istry. It is conceded by all that the preacher holds the 
key to the situation. For fourteen years the writer sat 
in the pew a careful, attentive listener, and for eight years 
he has stood in the pulpit, preaching the unsearchable 
riches of Christ. With this experience I am convinced 
that the greatest need of the Christian church to-day 
is a ministry "filled with the Holy Ghost and fire." Any- 
thing short of this and the minister is not at his best. 
He cannot keep from "wabbling." He lacks moral back- 



SIFTED WHEAT. 109 

bone. He is in danger of officialism, or from popularity 
or the opinions of people. He is in great danger of 
having enlargement of the head rather than enlarge- 
ment of the heart. He does not have victory in his own 
home before wife and children. Defeat here simply 
means defeat in the pulpit. He may put on polish, man- 
ners, and display an abundance of intellectuality, but that 
"prone-to-wander heart," is a constant reproof to his best 
efforts. To preach the gospel effectively, "with the Holy 
Ghost sent down from heaven," one must live EXACTLY 
RIGHT, INSIDE AND OUTSIDE, ALL THE TIME. 
This is almost, if not altogether, utterly impossible with 
an experience less than a wholly sanctified heart. I pre- 
sume there are hundreds of ministers who once enjoyed 
this as an actual experience, who have let it slip, and I 
fear that the awful spiritual dearth in many churches 
is largely due to a back-slidden ministry. Come, my 
precious brethren, own up, you know I am telling the 
truth. Let the ministry seek and obtain the blessing of 
entire sanctification, and keep it, and then preach it. to 
the church so that others are made hungry and find it 
too, and there will be the greatest spiritual revolution 
the world has ever known. Such preaching will not 
cause a division in the church, but the white light of full 
salvation will surely reveal the division that already exists. 
Holiness never divides the church, for it has never divided 
heaven, and that is all they have up there. Holiness 
solidifies, purifies, and drives out the world, the flesh and 
the devil. This is the sort of a revival that is needed, 
one of subtraction rather than addition. God can take 
a Gideon's band who are just right and save a world. 

A wholly sanctified minister has a passion for souls, 
both at home and abroad. His chief business is not to 



110 SIFTED WHEAT. 

lecture, display his oratory or learning, but with might 
and main to get men saved from sin. Such effort is not 
long in kindling the same fire in the hearts of others. 

A wholly sanctified ministry is a successful ministry 
from every legitimate standpoint. Mr. Wesley exhorted 
his preachers to "Earnestly aspire after a full deliver- 
ance from all sin, and a renewal in the whole image of 
God, and God will prosper you in all your labors." He 
further says, "Preach full salvation, now, receivable by 
faith." "This," said he, "is the word which the devil 
peculiarly hates and stirs up his children against," but 
"it is the word which God will always bless." Mark 
you, the devil's children object to the preaching of holi- 
ness, but God's true children, never. 

Then following the regular ministry, if we could have 
all of the Bishops and those in ecclesiastical authority, the 
college presidents, and professors, and then all of the 
editors of our religious press, 'enjoy" the blessing of entire 
sanctification, as a second definite work of grace subse- 
quent to conversion, MY! what a tremendous influence 
this would give for righteousness and true holiness. 
May God hasten the day when this shall all be brought 
about, Amen ! Not much use "mauling" the privates in 
the ordinary ranks of the army, until the big "Generals" 
get out of the way. All that I have written being true 
the Christian ministry have a very grave responsibility. 



SIFTED WHEAT. Ill 

A DISTINGUISHED POET. 

I presume among the thousands who read this book, 
there are a number of bright, intelligent young people 
who belong to the African race. For their encourage- 
ment and the general information of all, I call attention 
to Paul Lawrence Dunbar, Washington, D. C, to whom 
belongs the distinction of being the first real poet of his 
race in the English language. His people have a right 
to be proud of him, for he has clearly demonstrated 
the fact that it is possible for the negro to stand side by 
side with his white brethren in literary achievements. Mr. 
Dunbar, like Booker T. Washington, has come up from 
slavery, his father and mother both being slaves. Paul 
was born in Dayton, O., about thirty years ago, of pure 
African ancestry. He has known the deepest depths of 
poverty, and many of the cruel slights put upon the 
people of his race. He began composing poetry when 
but two years of age. He iias already published many 
most creditable productions. A touching- and tender 
little lullaby of his that has appealed to many a father's 
and mother's heart follows : 

PO' LITTLE LAMB. 

Bedtime's come fu' little boys, 

Po' little lamb. 
Too tiahed out to make a noise, 

Po' little lamb. 
You gwine to have to-morrer sho'? 
Yes, yo' tole me dat befo'. 
Don't you fool me, chile, no mo', 

Po' little lamb. 



112 SIFTED WHEAT*. 

You been had de livelong day, 

Po' little Iamb. 
Th'owing stones an' runnin' way, 

Po' little lamb. 
■My, but you's a-runnin' wild ! 
Look jes lak some po' folks' chile; 
Mam gwine to whup you-atter while; 

Po' little lamb. 

Come hyeah ! you mos' tiahed to def, 

Po' little lamb. 
Played yo'se'f clean o' bref, 

Po' little lamb. 
See dem han's now — such a sight! 
'Would you evah b'lieve dey's white ? 
Stan' still 'twell I wash dem right, 

Po' little lamb. 

Jes' cain't hoi' yo' haid up straight, 

Po' little lamb. 
(Hadn't oughter played so late, 

Po' little lamb. 
Mammy do' know w'hut she'd do 
Ef de chillun's all lak you ; 
You's a caution now fu' true, 

Po' little lamb. 

Lay yo' haid down in my lap, 

Po' little lamb. 
Y' ought to have a right good slap, 

Po' little lamb. 
Yo' been runnin' roun' a heap. 
Shet dem eyes, an' don't you peep — 
Dah now, dah now, go to sleep — 

Po' little lamb. 



SIFTED WHEAT. . 113 

DELIGHT IN GOD'S HOUSE. 

Psa. 84: 1-4; Psa. 100: 1-5. 

For daily meditation. 

Monday — The Head of the church. Col. i : 16-20. 
Tuesday — A true worshiper. Psa. 24: 1-5. 
Wednesday — A sanctified church. Eph. 5 : 25-27. 
Thursday — A united church. Jno. 17 : 6-23. 
Friday — A glorious church. Eph. 3: 14-21. 
Saturday — A triumphant church. Rev. 21 : 1-7. 
Sunday — Topic. 

We have profound reverence for the church of God. 
And there should never enter into it anything that will 
destroy reverence, or despoil its sacredness. Is there not 
extreme danger here? for it would seem that many 
churches admit all kinds of "shows," and "entertain- 
ments," and "socials," that surely tend to lessen rever- 
ence, and educate the young to have but little respect 
for the house of God. Catholicism is far in advance of 
Protestantism at this point, for they never admit any- 
thing that might desecrate the holy sanctuary. The 
modern "restaurant attachment," theatrical stage, with 
foot lights, and drop curtain, bowling alley, and gymna- 
sium paraphernalia, are utterly inconsistent with God's 
house. The apostolic church and the church of our 
fathers and mothers knew nothing of these things. But 
they did have an "Amen corner," and men and women 
who could pray until the windows would rattle, and the 
glory of God fill the place, and sing and shout until 
sinners trembled with awful conviction for their sins, 
and who found no peace until God mightily converted 

Sifted Wheat— 8 



114 SIFTED WHEAT. 

their souls. There was real delight in God's house in 
those days, and people would ride or walk miles to attend 
one service. How the old church was loved and revered. 
It was where people "got religion." But the cry goes up, 
times have changed, the people are more "cultured," we 
must have something modern. 'But my friend, sin has 
not changed, it is still sending multitudes to hell. The 
Gospel has not changed, it is still the power of God unto 
salvation to every one that believeth. The Holy Spirit 
has not changed, God's power has not diminished, and 
human nature is surely about the same. What is the 
matter? Well, the church is being honeycombed) with 
a crust of ethical formalism, that eliminates the super- 
natural, and frowns upon deep spirituality that expresses 
itself in shouts of praise and glad hallelujahs. And so 
these questions are constantly being asked, "How to reach 
the masses ?" "How to get the men to church ?" "How to 
hold our young people?" These questions can be 
answered if the church will rid herself of worldly entan- 
glements, stiffness, formalism, and a ritualistic trend that 
has no "juice" in it. Let the church be a place of praise, 
shouts, mighty prayer, glad exultation, spontaneous out- 
bursts from full hearts, and thousands will throng her 
courts, and God's house will be a delight indeed. 



TO AWAKEN THOUGHT. 

The church with all her defects is the best institution 
this side of heaven. 

Millions have thronged her altars, found salvation 
from: sin, and gone shouting home to glory. 

Do you take a real delight in God's house? 



SIFTED WHEAT. 115 

Did you join the meeting house, or have you been 
born into God's (ecclesia) church? 

As the oak leaf reflects the great oak in miniature, so 
every true Christian is a miniature church. 

Be careful how you criticise the church, for in so 
doing you may be criticising yourself. 



GOD'S UNANSWERED QUESTIONS. 

1. What will ye do in the day of visitation ? to whom 
will ye flee for help ? and where will ye leave your glory ? 
Isa. 10-3. 

2. 'What will ye do in the end thereof? Jer. 5-31. 

3. 'How wilt thou do in the swelling of Jordan? 
Jer. 2-5. 

4. Who can heal thee? Lam. 2-13. 

5. Can thine heart endure, or thine hands be strong, 
in the days that I shall deal with thee? Ezck. 22-14. 

6. Where is any other that may save thee? Hosea 
13-10. 

7. What shall a man give in exchange for his soul? 
Mark 8-37. 

8. Shall he find faith on the earth? Luke 18-8. 

9. If they do these things in a green tree, what shall 
be done in the dry? Luke 23-31. 

10. What shall the end be of them that obey not the 
Gospel of God? 1 Pet. 4-17. 

11. If the righteous scarcely be saved, where shall the 
ungodly and the sinner appear? 1 Pet. 4-18. 

12. How shall we escape, if we neglect so great salva- 
tion? Heb. 2-3. 



116 SIFTED WHEAT. 

TRIALS. 

Of course you will have them. But trials ar^ usually 
blessings in disguise. They drive us to our knees. They 
help one to appreciate God's goodness when he delivers. 
God permits a continued, refining process to take place 
in our lives that he may bring out the pure gold in us. 
He says, "I will make man as the gold of Ophir." The 
diamond in its rough, uncut state is not so beautiful. 
But when the roughness is chiseled off, and the polishing 
is completed, it sparkles with the brilliancy of a star. 
You must expect "chiseling" if you expect to "shine." 
"Beloved, think it not strange concerning the fiery trial 
which is to try you, as though some strange thing hap- 
pened unto you ; but rejoice, inasmuch as ye are partakers 
of Christ's sufferings." Do not talk very much to others 
about your trials and afflictions. It may be necessary 
sometimes to unburden your heart. Talk most with God. 
"Casting all your care (anxiety) upon him; for he careth 
for you." 

PERSONAL TESTIMONY. 

Many young people are in danger of substituting a 
verse of Scripture, or a short reading from some religious 
paper, for personal experience. In so doing one may 
ease conscience, but there is a real loss to faith. Per- 
sonal testimony to the saving or sanctifying power of 
Jesus Christ will always bring strength to the soul. "Let 
us hold fast the profession of our faith without wavering, 
for he is faithful that promised." — Heb. io: 23. "That 
the communication of thy faith may become effectual by 
the acknowledging of every good thing which is in you 
in Christ Jesus." — Phil. 6. 



SIFTED WHEAT. 117 

THE FULLNESS OF GOD, HOW SECURED. 
Eph. 3: 14-21. 

"This prayer of the apostle," says Adam Clarke, "is 
one of the most grand and sublime in the whole oracles 
of God. The riches of the grace of the gospel and the 
extent to which the soul of man may be saved here below 
are most emphatically pointed out. Every word seems 
to have come immediately from heaven, laboring to con- 
vey ideas of infinite importance to mankind." "The full- 
ness of God" surely cannot mean anything less than the 
entire sanctification of the soul. Daniel Steele suggests 
"that the petition is that ye may be so filled with the 
Holy Spirit, and with all his gifts and graces, as God is 
filled. This is expressed in a mandatory form by Christ 
(Matt. 5 : 48) : "Be ye therefore perfect, as your heav- 
enly Father is perfect." Something more than initial 
Christian life is here prayed for by Paul in behalf of the 
church in Ephesus. The new birth begins with the love 
of God in the heart, shed abroad by the Holy Spirit. 
But such a heart is narrow, and needs enlargement; it 
has remaining defilements which need cleansing. So 
there are steps and intervals between spiritual infancy and 
manhood. The crowning act of this process of develop- 
ment is here denoted by the being filled with all the full- 
ness of God. Elsewhere it is expressed by the prayer: 
"The God of peace himself sanctify you wholly." (1 
Thess. 5: 23, R. V.) 

To secure this experience, one must be clearly justi- 
fied before God, and then seek definitely for entire sancti- 
fication by a complete consecration. When such a conse- 
cration is complete, it will be easy to believe that "the 



118 SIFTED WHEAT. 

blood of Jesus Christ cleanseth from all sin." The mo- 
ment your faith grasps the promise the Holy Spirit will 
witness that the work of cleansing is complete. Mr. 
Wesley says: "None, therefore, ought to believe that 
the work is done till there is added the testimony of the 
Spirit witnessing his entire sanctification as clearly as his 
justification." 



SUGGESTIONS AND HELPS. 

"To be filled with God is a great thing; to be filled 
with the fullness of God is still greater; but to be filled 
with all the fullness of God utterly bewilders the sense 
and confounds the understanding." — A. Clarke. 

"Rooted and grounded in love." Love is the best soil 
out of which to "grow" a religious experience. It will 
hold in storms. Love is a sure foundation upon which 
to build life's superstructure. It is indestructible. 

"Love strong as death — nay, stronger; 

Love mightier than the grave, 
Broad as the earth, and longer 

than ocean's widest wave. 
"This is the love that sought us; 
This is the love that bought us ; 
This is the love that brought us 

To gladdest days from saddest night ; 
From deepest shame to glory bright; 

From depths of death to life's fair height; 
From darkness to the joy of light." 



SIFTED WHEAT. 119 

THE FULLNESS OF GOD WILL BRING 
TO THE SOUL 

Purity, 

Perfection, 

Power, 

Comforter, 

Comfort, 

Courage, 

Consistency, 

Rest, 

Refreshing, 

Rejoicing, 

Unction, 

Union, 

Usefulness, 

Holiness, 

Hopefulness, 

Heavenliness. 



READY FOR WORK. 

The summer is over, vacations are at an end for an- 
other year, and Christian young people are now ready 
for an aggressive fall and winter campaign. Let me sug- 
gest some things your society can do. 

You can visit the "shut-in's," if any, in your com- 
munity. 

You can read the Bible to some old people who can- 
not see to read or go to church. 

You can send a barrel of clothing, and one of fruit 
to the nearest Deaconess Home. 



120 SIFTED WHEAT. 

You can visit the hospital or the "Old Ladies' Home," 
and pray and sing. 

You can remember some poor, old, superannuated 
preacher with a liberal donation that will bring cheer 
to his heart. 

You can furnish medicine for that poor family whose 
children are ill. 

You can send religious books and papers to some 
missionary in the South. 

You can help find a job of work for several worthy 
men and women who need it. 

You can carry flowers to the prisoners in the jail and 
also say a word for Jesus. 

You can make a special effort to reach the young men 
of your community and try to get them saved. 

You can take care of some little children while some 
tired mothers go to church Sunday morning. 

You can have some one converted each week in the 
young people's meeting. 

O, there is plenty to do, if only there are willing 
hearts and hands to do it. Who will cry with the prophet 
of old, "Here am I, send me"? 



CHEERFUL AMID ADVERSITY. 

Acts 27 : 22-36. 

The Christian religion is the only religion that offers 
victory over all trials and difficulties. The stress of 
circumstances, the severest adversities, the almost im- 
penetrable darkness all vanish through simple trust in 
Jesus, and the soul shouts glory and keeps happy. To 



SIFTED WHEAT. 121 

do this, however, one must keep "prayed up." Private 
prayer daily employed, the reading of God's Word, medi- 
tation on the goodness of God, will insure cheerfulness 
when the hard place is reached. Remember there is a 
"lot" left when you seem to have lost all. 

When Jeremy Taylor's house had been plundered, his 
family driven out into the street, and his entire estate 
sequestered, he enumerated all he had left, declaring he 
could never murmur since he had only met with such 
trifling losses. His wife, a few friends, fresh air, sun- 
shine, good digestion, if he could get anything to eat, the 
ability to read, meditate, pray and God's favor — all these 
were left. Surely you need not complain. 

SOME GOLDEN NUGGETS TO HELP YOU. 

Isa. 41 : 13. 
Prov. 30: 5. 
2 Cor. 9: 8. 
2 Chron. 16 : 9. 
Isa. 40 : 28. 
Isa. 50: 7. 
Jer. 32 : 17. 
Jno. 14: 13. 
Phil. 4 : 19. 
Psa. 37:3-5. 

SUGGESTED THOUGHTS ON THE LESSON. 

"Be of good cheer." 
"There stood by me an angel." 
"I belong to God." 
"I believe God," 



122 SIFTED WHEAT. 

"None lost — only the ship." 
"He gave thanks to God." 
"Then were they all of good cheer." 
Very often the prayers, faith and courage of one man 
will stimulate a whole multitude. 



A GOOD LEADER 

Begins on time. 

Prays much for divine direction. 

Speaks short and to the point. 

Puts in an amen occasionally. 

Knows his subject well. 

Selects the hymns before the meeting. 

Plans for victory. 

Expects results. 

Gets them. 

Amen ! 



DO YOU PRAY IN PRIVATE? 

We need more private prayer. To neglect this simply 
means the loss of spiritual life. I mean private prayer, 
not family prayer, or general communion with God while 
about your household or business duties. A "place" to 
pray for "yourself" alone where you can tell God what 
you do not care for others to hear. Such praying, and 
spiritual life will be easily sustained and gloriously 
developed. This is a world of hurry. But, my young 
friend, be sure you take time to be holy. 



SIFTED WHEAT. 123 

SOME LITTLE THINGS "YOU" MIGHT DO. 

You might smile when other people look sour. 

You might keep sweet under provocation. 

You might pray away a "spell" of the blues. 

You might sing when there is a storm brewing. 

You might say "the blood cleanseth" when the devil 
tries to make you doubt. 

Y'ou might invite your neighbors to church. 

You might carry a smile and a bunch of flowers to a 
sick lady. 

You might drop a tract into the hands of that un- 
saved man. 

You might read the Bible to that "shut in." 

You might write a letter to that unsaved friend, in- 
viting him to Christ. 

You might do a "lot" of things for Jesus if you would 
only try. 



DIRECTLY PERSONAL. 

Do I love the Gospel ? 

Is it food to my soul ? 

Am I anxious that others shall hear it, too? 

Am I doing all that I can to pass it along? 

What can I do to-day to help some poor soul accept 
the invitation ? 



124 SIFTED WHEAT. 

DANGER! 

I don't care. What ! don't care about your soul ? 
I expect to be a Christian, but I want to wait awhile. 
I cannot give up my worldly companions. 
I do not believe some things in the Bible. 
I am not a very great sinner. 
Not to-night. 

These excuses will all fail in the hour of death. Your 
only safety is in accepting Christ now. 



SOME REASONS WHY SO MANY YOUNG 
MEN FAIL. 

They are unmannerly. 

They have no respect for those who are their senior 
in years. 

They speak of their father and mother as the "bid 
man" and the "old woman." 

They are coarse and loud-mouthed. 

They use tobacco, and often that which is stronger. 

They have no respect for Christianity. 

They laugh at the church, and make a mock of 
religion. 

They follow the lusts of the flesh. 

They desecrate the Sabbath. 

They have no respect for virtue. 

Their eyes are full of adultery. 

They have no sense of moral refinement. 

They loaf in saloons, billiard rooms and tobacco 
stores. 



SIFTED WHEAT. 125 

They have an evil heart, which leads to gross sinning. 
Failure is written everywhere on their lives, and many 
of them fill untimely graves. 

STICK TO YOUR BUSH. 

We knew a physician who had a good practice, and 
was very successful. But he saw a chance to make 
money in buying and selling real estate. This took con- 
siderable of his time, and it was not long before his 
practice began to dwindle, and he was not nearly so suc- 
cessful in ministering to his patients. We knew a 
preacher who had pulpit ability, and many were converted 
under his ministry. But he prepared several lectures, 
and gave these at $10 a night. He was praised and 
flattered as a lecturer. It was soon noticed that his 
sermons were not so spiritual. He had but little time for 
pastoral visiting, there were no conversions under his 
ministry. We knew a young business man who invested 
his money in a certain business. He succeeded splendidly 
for awhile. But he thought he saw an opportunity to 
make money more rapidly, and he put some money in 
this enterprise, and then in another. The investments 
failed, his capital was impaired, and business failure 
stared him in the face. We used to go "blackberrying." 
The temptation was, when we struck a big patch to pick 
here and there. But we soon discovered that the quickest 
way to fill our bucket was to find a big bush hanging full 
of nice berries and stick to that bush until we had them 
all picked off. And dear young people this is the way 
to succeed. "Stick to your bush." If you choose a life 
profession, give your time, thought and energy to that 
particular line exclusively. Do not scatter. It is ruinous. 



126 SIFTED WHEAT. 

Concentrate your forces, and strive to be the best in your 
line. The young man or young woman who will make 
Christ the chief corner-stone of his or her life, and who 
then proposes to be proficient in business, art, literature, 
teaching, music, science, mechanics, or any other legiti- 
mate profession, who utilizes strength and brain at the 
"one point" is sure to win. 



SOME CHARACTERISTICS OF LOVE. 

Love — "Suffereth long." 

Love— "Is kind." 

Love — "Envieth not." 

Love — "Is not puffed-up." 

Love — "Does not behave unseemly." 

Love — "Seeketh not her own." 

Love — "Is not provoked." 

Love — "Thinketh no evil." 

Love — "Rejoices not in iniquity." 

Love — "Rejoices in the truth." 

Love — "Beareth all things." 

Love — "Believeth all things." 

Love — "Hopeth all things." 

Love — "Endureth all things." 

Love — "Never fails." 

Love— "Abideth." 

Love 1 — "Is greatest." 

"Love brings the glorious fullness in, 
And to His saints makes known ; 

The blessed rest from inbred sin, 
Through faith in Christ alone." 



SIFTED WHEAT. 127 

THE NINE GIETS OF THE SPIRIT. 

i Cor. 12:8-11. 

Wisdom. 

Knowledge. 

Faith. 

Healing. 

Miracles. 

Prophecy. 

Discerning of spirits. 

Kinds of tongues. 

Interpretation of tongues. 

SUGGESTIVE AND PERSONAL. 

Love is best. 
Love is helpful. 
Love is hopeful. 
Love does not worry. 
Love does not fret. 
Love looks for the bright side. 
Love is fervent. 
Love is enthusiastic. 
Love looks for opportunities. 
Love wins victories. 

"God is love; and he that dwelleth in love dwelleth 
in God, and God in him." 



128 SIFTED WHEAT. 

DOING GOOD. 

This practical advice from John Wesley will make 
a splendid motto for young people to heed : 
Do all the good you can, 
By all the means you can, 
In all the ways you can, 
In all the places you can, 
To all the people you can, 
As long as ever you can. 

ALMOST A CHRISTIAN. 

What a sad sight to see great multitudes of the un- 
saved reject Christ. Those in evangelistic work see this 
over and over again. After a searching sermon, or a 
spirited exhortation, many stand with blanched faces, 
trembling like an aspen leaf, almost persuaded but finally 
turn and go away to continue in sin. 

"So near to the door — and the door stood wide, 

Close to the port — but not inside, 
Near to the fold — yet not within, 

Almost resolved to give up sin, 
Almost persuaded to count the cost, 
Almost a Christian, and yet — he was lost." 

WARNING. 

"Danger !" "Stop !" "Slow up !" These words are 
often seen near a railroad crossing or switch. They mean 
just what they say, and to disregard them might lead 
to a fatal accident to some one. So we would say to that 
young man, who, perhaps, has taken his first glass of wine, 



Sifted Wheat. 129 

from the hand of some fair young lady — Danger ! Stop ! 
It may result in your utter destruction. It may not seem 
like it now, but that is the very way every poor drunkard 
started. Men as self-willed, as strong as you, have 
blighted hopes, ruined fortunes and damned their souls 
by trifling with the wine cup. If it is some other sin 
that has fastened itself upon your soul — greed or pride 
— which makes you not careful with somebody else's 
money, undue intimacy with another man's wife, or some 
unsuspecting girl, so that lust has already fastened itself 
upon your heart-life, ready to spring upon its victim when 
advantage is offered, causing wreck and ruin indescrib- 
able, I say slow up, consider what the results will be, 
stop ! you can not afford to go that way, it is the way of 
death. Ask God to help you. He will. Be honest, keep 
clean, live a holy life now, and in years to come you 
will thank God a thousands times for such victory. 

PERSONAL. 

Really, what do YOU know about missions? 

Do you take any missionary literature? 

Do you lay aside any money for the Lord? 

We know some men who give a dollar to missions, 
and spend $30 and $40 each year for tobacco. 

Some old farmers with three hundred acres of land, 
and an annual income of fully $1,000 give the preacher 
25 cents a year to help convert the heathen. 

How many of your Leaguers are missionary givers ? 

The Methodist Church was to raise $20,000,000 and 
convert 2,000,000 souls. Have you heard anything about 
the souls lately? 

Sifted Wheat— 9 



130 SIFTED WHEAT. 

LIVING MOMENT AT A TIME. 

So many persons borrow trouble. They wonder how 
they will get through to-morrow or if the joys of salvation 
will remain next week. Or what would happen if sick- 
ness should come to the home, or husband should get out 
of work. "I do wonder how we would ever get through," 
and there is a deep sigh as if the trouble had already come. 
Thus many people lose their trust and faith in Christ. 
We are not to live in to-morrows, but moment by moment, 
with unwavering faith in him "who careth for you." 
Some one has written the following verses, which are 
applicable here : 

Oh, the hurtful fret and worry 

Which we sometimes feel! 
In the world's great press and hurry 

Comfort we may steal. 
When the heart is wrung with sorrow, 
Trust to-day ! Heed not to-morrow ! 

We our circumstances are blaming 

When affairs go wrong; 
But our Father doubt is shaming — 

"Trust Me all along"— 
Bidding us his comfort borrow : 
"Be not anxious for the morrow!" 

When the way is growing dreary, 

And the soul is sad; 
Think of him who, often weary, 

Made all others glad — 
Think of him and comfort borrow. 
Trust to-day ! Heed not to-morrow ! 



SIFTED WHEAT. 131 

When we reach the darkling river, 

And our feet shall press 
On the borders of "For Ever," 

Past the wilderness, 
Banish grief, away with sorrow ! 
Soon will dawn the great to-morrow ! 

THAT WHICH WILL HELP A YOUNG MAN 

SUCCEED. 

Be mannerly. 
Have respect for the aged. 
Have profound reverence for father and mother. 
Be choice in your language. 
Keep your mouth free from "smut" of any kind. 
Love the church. 
Early give your heart to Christ. 
Help others to learn to love him. 
Shun evil companions. 

Seek to develop mentally, morally and physically. 
Have a profound regard for virtue. 
"Keep thyself pure." 

Choose your company. Be sure to choose that which 
will elevate and not debase. 

Have high ideals and constantly seek to attain them. 

BE CAREFUL WHAT YOU READ. 

Young people are in danger here. There is so> much 
being printed that is mere trash. It has a decided de- 
moralizing effect on the mind. It smacks of the sheerest 
sentimentalism. Love stories whose moral tone can be 



132 SIFTED WHEAT. 

questioned. Utterly devoid of that which is elevating or 
stimulating. This sort of trash should be avoided. It 
has poison in it. Only read that which will strengthen 
the intellectual or moral tone of your life. I wish every 
one who reads this page would secure a copy of Mark 
Guy Pearse's little book, "The Christianity of Jesus 
Christ." It it worth its weight in gold, and will greatly 
enhance your spiritual life, as well as quicken the careless. 

PROMISES TO THE "OVERCOMERS." 

"To eat of the tree of life." 

"Not to be hurt of the second death." 

"A white stone — a new name." 

"Power over nations." 

"I will give him the morning star." 

"I will not blot out his name out of the book of life." 

"I will make him a pillar in the temple of my God." 

"To sit with me in my throne." 



A CURE FOR THE WORLD'S WOE. 

Isa. 45 = ^-23. 
This lesson is an inspiring prophecy concerning the 
coming Kingdom of Christ. It portrays the omnipotence 
of God, his majesty and power to save. The climax of 
the lesson is reached in verse 22 : "Look unto me and 
be ye saved all the ends of the earth ; for I am God, and 
there is none else." An invitation as broad as humanity, 
and as deep as the deepest need of the soul. No race, 
no color, no individual excluded. What magnanimous 
provision ! How it starts a hallelujah chorus in the soul ! 



SIFTED WHEAT. 133 

I. If Christ had complete control of men's lives, it 
would cure the rupture between capital and labor. Men 
would be "brethren," and would not seek to take advan- 
tage. Love would rule every life. 2. Christ control- 
ling the life would do away with class or "caste" distinc- 
tion. There would be no "four hundred," but a common 
brotherhood, whose earthly aim is to elevate the race and 
make men ready for heaven. 3. If Christ had control 
of men's lives, the rich would find pleasure in using their 
wealth to save the world. Thousands of missionaries and 
teachers could be supported where only a few are in the 
field. 4. If Christ had control of every life, the liquor 
traffic would be done away with. There would be no sa- 
loonkeepers and no* demand for drink. The brothel and 
gambling room would have no patrons. Yes, without 
doubt Jesus Christ is a sure cure for the world's woe. 
With renewed energy, and more enthusiasm let us lift 
up Jesus. 

THE BLIGHT OF SIN. 

Ruined lives. 

Blasted hopes. 

Wrecked homes. 

Poverty and despair. 

Children in rags. 

Wife with broken heart. 

Husband a demon. 

Religion neglected. 

The church forsaken. 

Infidelity rampant. 

Death — grave — hell — lost forever. 



134 SIFTED WHEAT. 

WHAT IS SIN? 

In the multitude of words. — Prov. 10-19. 

The thought of foolishness. — Prov. 24-9. 

Whatsoever is not of faith. — Rom. 14-23. 

Knowing to do good, and doing it not. — James 4-17. 

The transgression of the law. — I John, 3-4. 

All unrighteouness. — 1 John, 5-17. 

Pleasures of sin only for a season. — Heb. 11-25. 



YOU WILL NEVER BE SORRY 

For being courteous. 

For being patient. 

For helping the poor. 

For ministering to the sick. 

For being square in your business life. 

For giving a tenth of your income to God. 

For attending the weekly prayer meeting and taking 
part. 

(For spending considerable time in secret prayer, medi- 
tation and Bible study. 

For the time you give in helping some poor soul to 
know Jesus Christ in his power to save. 

For subscribing for a good holiness paper, and read- 
ing holiness literature and passing it along to others. 



SIFTED WHEAT. 135 

HIS REPENTANCE NOT GENUINE. 

Real repentance is much more than "being sorry 
you're caught." More than emotion of some kind or 
simply good resolutions to do better. Bible repentance 
is heart sorrow for past sins and a determination with 
God's help you will never do the wrong things again. 
It is said of Bishop Gore, of England, that he once visited 
a noted pickpocket on his deathbed. The dying thief 
declared himself to be sincerely penitent and assured 
the Bishop that he believed in the forgiveness of his sins. 
He had spoken his last farewells and the Bishop sat wait- 
ing ft>r the last moment to come. Suddenly the dying 
man exclaimed in a whisper which was his dying groan, 
"Look out for your watch !" He was dead and the Bishop's 
watch was in his lifeless hand. His repentance was not 
genuine, and he died a thief. "Let the wicked forsake 
his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts," and 
then, and only then, will God have mercy. 



SEVEN "GREAT" THINGS. 



Great — Salvation. Heb. 2:3. 
Great — Love. Eph. 2:4. 
Great — Peace. Psa. 119:165. 
Great — Joy. Luke 2 : 10. 
Great — Goodness. Psa. 31 : 19. 
Great — Mercy. Psa. 103:11. 
Great — Faithfulness. Lam. 3 : 23. 



136 SIFTED WHEAT. 

MISSION QUERIES. 

Does your young people's society have a mission study 
class ? 

Do you give systematically to the cause of missions ? 

Do you read missionary literature, have you a fair 
knowledge of the field ? 

Have you ever thought of supporting a native preacher 
or teacher? 

Do you ever pray for the missionaries already in the 
field? 

Have you got any missionary fire in your heart? 

Could you not give a penny a day for this purpose ? 

WORLDLY AMUSEMENTS. 

What havoc to spiritual life is being wrought every- 
where by worldly amusements. Bright young men and 
women are being led into utter indifference concerning 
the claims of the Gospel, and many already in the church 
indulge, and invariably lose their appetite for spiritual 
things. Think of a Presbyterian preacher, the pastor 
of a large, aristocratic church, patronizing the theatre, 
and sending his daughter to a dancing school ! Yet he is 
the most popular pastor in town. Think of a Con- 
gregational preacher in a/ large, influential city church, 
preaching recently to> twenty-five hundred people, and 
telling them that he patronized the theatre, and that if 
he had the money he would buy a theatre ticket for each 
one of his members each week, that they might attend 
also! Think of a Methodist church with six hundred 
members with not more than fifty of that number giving 



SIFTED WHEAT. 13? 

any real evidence of spiritual life, with many families 
constant theatre goers, and advertising progressive euchre 
parties at their homes, besides indulging in all other forms 
of world'liness. Is it any wonder such a church has but 
from thirty to fifty in the prayer meeting, and eight or 
nine in the class meeting ? Is it not about time the Metho- 
dist discipline was brought out ? What has become of this 
valuable little book, anyway ? Something must surely be 
done to save the church from the ravages of the world. 
What shall it be? Let the ministry hold up the Bible 
standard of regeneration and entire sanctification, and 
many will see how far beneath their privilege they are 
living. Such a view will cause alarm and scores will seek 
for a better experience. 

OUR FELLOWSHIP. 

Psa. 133 : 1-3; 1 Cor. 12: 12-27. 

True fellowship with God and with one another fol- 
lows as a result of the experience of entire sanctification. 
Jesus prayed in that remarkable intercessory prayer 
recorded in the seventeenth chapter of St. John, "Sanctify 
them through thy truth .... that they all may be one." 
Christian unity begins the minute that a man is converted. 
"We know that we have passed from death unto life, be- 
cause we love the brethren." A fundamental of religious 
experience is, Christian fellowship. "If a man say I love 
God, and hateth his brother, he is a liar." Justification 
cannot be maintained with any hatred in your heart. 
When Christians "fall out" Christ goes out, and only 
repentance and faith will bring him back. But the lesson 
suggests a broader fellowship. We are not sure that God 



138 SIFTED WHEAT. 

is pleased with much of our sectarian and demoninational 
pride. It smatters too much of the "old man." And 
this leads us to say that if ever the fellowship of the 
Gospel predominates, the "old man which is corrupt" must 
be crucified, and the "new man" put on, "which, after 
God, is created in righteousness and true holiness." Holi- 
ness is the only sure cure for sectarian bias and denomina- 
tional pride. It is also a sure preventive of "cliques" and 
"sets." Holiness recognizes the poor as well as the rich. 
It "puts up" with ignorance, blunders and mistakes of 
those who have a "zeal of God, but not according to 
knowledge." Let the prayer of Jesus be answered through- 
out the Christian Church, in the hearts and lives of believ- 
ers as an experience, and a holy brotherhood will be estab- 
lished that will effectively assail Satan's kingdom as never 
before. O, Lord, hasten that day. Amen ! 



OUR HEAVENLY HOME AND THE WAY. 
John 14: 1-6; Rev. 21: 1-4. 

Heaven is a place. But it is not material, but spirit- 
ual. Heaven, however, is sure and substantial, as a care- 
ful study of the Word of God will clearly indicate. We 
believe there ought to be more preaching as well as medi- 
tation about heaven. This would lead to holy living and 
heavenly desires. 

Heaven is holy. Those who enter there must also be 
holy. Most persons believe this, but not many are anxious 



SIFTED WHEAT. 139 

to make the necessary preparation. There is a modern 
universalism abroad, honeycombing the church and so- 
ciety everywhere, that is trying to believe everybody, 
whether good or bad, will be dumped into heaven. It is a 
fatal error, and has no Scriptural warrant. Only the 
righteous, pure, holy, shall enter there. 

'Heaven is for every one who will seek to enter. The 
conditions are simple and easy. Forsaking sin and ac- 
cepting the Lord Jesus as a Saviour and Guide. A poor 
man told Rowland Hill that the way to heaven was short, 
easy and simple, comprising only three steps : "Out of 
self, unto Christ, into glory !" 

Heaven is made on the plan of an infinite God. It is 
no small affair. Infinite in extent, wiith innumerable 
society of angels, and beauty beyond the thought of 
any mortal man. How it will ravish the eyes of the 
redeemed. "I want to go there, don't you?" 

Heaven is an active place. Three things are said of 
the inhabitants of heaven. They serve Christ, they see 
him and they are like him. So, there is Intense spiritual 
activity there. 

How shall we enjoy heaven ? One has said, "As every 
created man is different from every other man, so every 
man's heaven will be his very own, and his surroundings 
will be in harmony with his peculiar genius; the things 
seen will correspond perfectly with his affections and, 
as the objects which correspond to the good and true 
must be beautiful, therefore, heaven must be beautiful 
beyond the imagination of any man to conceive." 



140 SIFTED WHEAT. 



WHAT IS EXCLUDED* 



No sea. 
No tears. 
l No death. 
No crying. 
No sorrow. 
No pain. 
No temple. 
No sun. 
No moon. 
No night. 
No sin. 

SUGGESTIONS. 

Make sure of heaven. 

Look up the references in the Bible about heaven. 
Living grace will insure dying grace. 
"Will there be any stars in your crown ?" 
Holiness secured and retained is a sure passport to 
heaven. 

Remember that no unclean thing gets in. 
Make sure of Heaven ! ! ! ! 



"HOW FEARFULLY BUSINESS-LIKE IT LOOKS." 

The above is the expression of a young woman, sup- 
posedly Christian, who, in a spasm of religious fervor, 
asked her husband to become a church member and Chris- 
tian. Very coolly and business-like he propounded to 
her the following propositions, much to her discomfiture : 



SIFTED WHEAT. 141 

"I do not use tobacco in any way. You do not. 
"I do not use profane language. Neither do you. 
"I am a teetotaler. So are you. 
"I go to the theatre. You go to the theatre. 
"I play cards. You play cards. 
"I attend church irregularly. You do the same. 
"I pay something for religious purposes. So do you. 
"I dance. You dance. 

"I associate with unbelievers. You do the same. 
"I read trashy novels. You read trashy novels. 
"I do not read the Bible. Do you read the Bible ? 
"I do not pray. Do you pray ? 

"Now, what does your church membership add to your 
manner of living? Why are our ways different ?" 



IS IT ANYTHING TO YOU? 

That men are dying without Christ. 

That the heathen are perishing with but few to help 
them. 

That millions of money is squandered foolishly that 
might be used to save the world. 

That $800,000,000 is spent for tobacco each year. 

That the liquor traffic is sending 100,000 human souls 
to perdition every twelve months. 

That the average church is devoid of spiritual power. 

That many preachers seem to be preaching for their 
salaries rather than for souls. 

That the so-called sinning religion of to-day pleases 
the devil, and robs God and heaven. 



142 SIFTED WHEAT. 

That the average man thinks more of his business than 
he does of his church. 

That thousands of dollars are being spent in lodges 
and clubs that ought to go to help save souls. 

"That the soul that sinneth, it shall die." 

That hell is enlarging "herself" to receive sinners. 



TIME FOR MEDITATION— THE MORNING 

WATCH 

Psa. 5:3; 119:147, 148; Matt. 14:23; Mark 6:30, 31. 

Said a Godly minister, "If I had ten minutes of time 
I would spend five of it in meditation and five in prayer. 
Yea, ordinarily I would use seven minutes in meditation." 
It is very true that with many of us too little time is given 
to- meditation. This accelerated age prevents, or at least 
hinders our contemplation of the infinite mercies and 
goodness of God. And, as a result, many of his dear 
children are lean in soul. And yet, really, there is no 
excuse for one permitting such environments to> be thrust 
upon him as to deprive him of time that ought to be used 
in accomplishing the most important thing of life, namely, 
soul development. 

The lesson suggests morning meditation and prayer. 
The following of such a practice will make the Christian 
life one of great beauty and strength. It ought not to be 
neglected. We owe it to God to be at our very best for 
him. "Take time to be holy" should be the ruling passion 
of every life. The observing of the "Morning Watch" 



SIFTED WHEAT. 143 

will help to lighten the duties of each day, and make the 
heart cheerful in the midst of adversities, and triumphant 
when the stress of life is upon us. Many a person has 
hurried off to the day's work without meditation and 
prayer and suffered defeat in their spiritual life before 
the noon hour. Thus great injury is done to the soul. 
Let us guard against the attacks of the adversary by 
earnest, continued prayer. May your prayer and 
mine be, 

"Direct, control, suggest this day, 

All I design, or do, or say ; 

That all my powers, with all their might, 

In thy sole glory may unite." 

FOR MEDITATION. 

God's immediate mercies. 

'His past blessings. 

My failures and how to avoid them in the future. 

The precious promises of the Word. 

■My helpfulness to those about me. 

My lack in embracing opportunities to do good. 

How can I help someone to-day ?' 

Are my thoughts always pure? 

Am I at my best for him ? 

WHAT TO THINK ABOUT. 

"Whatsoever things are True." 
"Whatsoever things are Honest." 
"Whatsoever things are Just." 
"Whatsoever things are Pure." 
"Whatsoever things are Lovely." 
"Whatsoever things are of Good Report." 



i44 SIFTED WliliAT. 

SOME TIMELY PROVERBS. 

Fools mock at sin : but 'among- the righteous there is 
favor. 

He that winketh with the eye causeth sorrow: but a 
prating fool shall fall. 

A tale-bearer revealeth secrets: but he that is of a 
faithful spirit concealeth the matter. 

The backslider in heart shall be filled with his own 
ways. 

A poor man is better than a liar. 

Heaviness in tfhe heart of a man makcth it stoop : but 
a good word maketh it glad. 

An high look and a proud heart. . .is sin. 

He that hasteth to be rich hath an evil eye, and con- 
sidered not that poverty shall come upon him. 

Correct thy son and he shall give thee rest; yea, he 
shall give delight unto thy soul. 

When the righteous are in authority, the people re- 
joice : but when the wicked beareth rule, the people 
mourn. 

Scornful men bring a city into a snare: but wise men 
turn away wrath. 



AN ACROSTIC. 

Forsaking. 

All 

I 

Take 

Him. 



SIFTED WHEAT. 1 (5 

TIIK OI'KN CIIANNKL ()I< PRAYER. 

Matt. 6:6-8; 7:7-1 i ; John 14:13, 1 |. 

Th< tc is quite a difference between an open channel 
and an obstructed channel. An open channel has clear sail- 
ing, right up to the throne of Cod. Clod's great ear catches 
the message and there is definite answer. The obstructed 

channel is generally full of rocks of unbelief, snags of 
doubt, driftwood of neglected duty or sins unrepented. 

There is no use trying to pray over or around such "stuff" 
it must be gotten out of the way. Get the channel clear 
and then ( iod's ear is open. 

The topic suggests a place to pray. This is absolutely 
necessary to sustain spiritual life. Too few Christians 
practice the habit of secret prayer, and thus sustain great 
loss to their souls. If you would know the deep things 
of Cod, pray much in secret. If you would overcome the 
cares of life, pray much in secret. If you would live a 
happy ( luistian, pray much in secret. 

The topic also suggests an unlimited promise, backed 
by divine provision. "Whatsoever ye shall ask" — knowl- 
edge, love, Of anything else, he will ^ive it. Our Love 
here gives us a chaile blanche. Believer, write down what 
thou wilt, I will do it.— (Wesley). 

God has a good deal more to give than most of us 
are getting. "Knee ology" is a much neglected branch 
of Christian ethics. The church — the Christian loses im- 
measurably in Strength and accelerated power by failing 
to test the wonderful promises of Cod, in prayer. O, 
for somebody who can really pray. Why need a church 
Languish and die and have no one converted the year 

Sifted Wli<-al- JO 



146 SIFTED WHEAT. 

round? somebody neglects to pray. Why need a com- 
munity be without a revival of religion for years? some- 
body neglects to pray. Why need the benevolencies, 
missionary cause, and current expenses of the church 
suffer ? somebody neglects to pray. Why need the church 
resort to unscriptural methods to raise money ? somebody 
neglects to pray. O, for a praying church! Brother, 
sister, apply this directly to your own heart. Are you 
neglecting to pray ? 



ILLUSTRATIONS. 

Moses prayed and saved a nation. — Exod. 32:31, 32. 

Elijah prayed and the prophets of Baal were defeated. 
— I Kings 18:36-39 

Jehoshaphat prayed and his enemies were all slain. — 
2 Chron. 20:1-30. 

Daniel prayed and was delivered from the lion's den. — 
Dan. 6:10-28. 

A little prayer meeting around the corner gets Peter 
out of jail. — Acts 12:3-17. 

A midnight prayer meeting unlocks prison doors for 
Paul and Silas. — Acts 16 :24~34. 

Luther prayed three hours a day, and broke the spell 
of ages and set captive nations free. 

John Knox prayed all night, "Give me Scotland or I 
die," and God answered his prayer. 

Baxter stained the walls of his study with praying 
Dreath and sent a tide of salvation over all England. 

Finney prayed night and day for a week and then de- 



SIFTED WHEAT. 147 

livered his "Revival Lectures" which started the Salva- 
tion Army and sent a revival around the world. 

George Mueller prayed and established his orphanages 
and got millions of dollars to sustain them. 

Wesley, Bramwell, David Brainard,, Jonathan Ed- 
wards, Dr. Cullis, and many whose names are not so* well 
known, wrought wonders through the power of prevailing 
prayer. 

A SECRET PLACE OF PRAYER. 

By all means have it, if you would conserve your 
"spiritual strength and enlarge your spiritual vision. Pub- 
lic prayer, or even prayer about the house or at your 
daily toil will not take the place of being "alone with 
God." 

A story is told in "The Soul Winner," which is too 
apt to be in need of comment : 

"Some converted Africans, finding no privacy for 
prayer in their small, crowded huts, betook themselves to 
secluded places in the forest near by. In the course of 
time, paths became worn from each man's hut to his prayer 
place. The spiritual condition could often be told by the 
condition of the path leading to any individual's 'closet.' 
Occasionally one of these native Christians would become 
lukewarm and not travel his path so much as in other 
days. In this event his companions would sometimes 
remind him with the words, 'Brother, the grass grows in 
your path.' " 



148 SIFTED WHEAT. 

A MESSAGE FROM HIS WORD 

Jer. 15:16; John 157; Acts 20:32. 

Jeremiah was glad that God had honored him. No 
wonder the word of the Lord was sweet to him and made 
him rejoice. So the Word of God is just as sweet and 
precious to us to-day. God has fit a promise to every 
human need. Shall we not appropriate his promises for 
our spiritual health ? Please note : 

1. The importance of Scripture. When God speaks he 
expects to be obeyed. To reject or refuse to obey his 
Word will result in disaster. Too many read the Bible 
as though it were no more than a book of science, or 
philosophy. While it is both scientific and philosophic it 
is much more than these. It embraces both revelation and 
inspiration. It is the fundamental of all law and morality. 
It reaches to the lowest strata of human life and lifts men 
to the highest pinnacle of Christian grandeur. Its mes- 
sage is alike to both prince and pauper. To enjoy the 
fragrance of its teachings one must continually obey every 
provision and precept, accepting the Word in its simplest 
form from beginning to end* Skepticism or doubt con- 
cerning any portion of Scripture will prove a hindrance 
to obtaining or retaining a religious experience. 

2. The message is directly to you. When God says, 
"Ye must be born again," he means you. When he says, 
"Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart," 
he means you. When his Word says, "We shall live 
soberly, righteously and godly in this present world," he 
means you. To nullify the message which is directly to 
you will endanger your eternal interests. Don't do it. 

3. The message is all-comprehensive and all-sufficient. 



SIFTED WHEAT." 149 

There is no lack anywhere. Circumstances, or environ- 
ments make no difference. "His Word can never fail." 
The doctrines of Scripture are confirmed by experience. 
Meet Scriptural conditions and the results promised are 
sure to follow. You need not lack any good thing. "Ask 
what ye will" is the limitless promise. 



QUESTIONS FOR DAILY MEDITATION. 

The following questions for daily meditation will be 
found helpful. Take your Bible and study them carefully. 
They are furnished by Miss Cassie Smith : 

Open thou mine eyes. — Psalm 119:18. 

How often do I praise God? — Psalm 119:164. 

How often do I pray? — Psalm 55: 17. 

Do I rejoice in the Lord? — Phil. 4:4. 

Do I love his Law ? — Psalm 119 :gy. 

Have I wisdom from above? — James 3 : 17. 

How do I get wisdom ? — James 1 '.5. 

Do I live the Golden Rule ?— Matt. 7 : 12. 

Is my light shining? — Matt. 5 :i6 

Do I love the world? — 1 John, 2:15. 

Do I dress like one professing godliness? — 1 Tim. 
2:9, 10. 

Do I help my brother in need? — 1 John, 3 :iy. 

Am I holy in conversation? — 1 Pet. 1 :i5; Ps. 19:14. 

Am I an example of believers? — 1 Tim., 4:12. 

Do I help my brethren in need ? — Prov. 3 :g, 10. 

Can I have victory? — 1 Cor. 15 : 57 ; 2 Cor. 2 : 14. 

How do I overcome? — Rev. 12:11. 



150 SIFTED WHEAT. 

Have I joy in service? — Ps. 40:8. 
Am I walking* in the light? — 1 John, 1 \j. 
Am I crucified with Christ ? — Gal. 2 : 20. 
Am I a living sacrifice? — Rom. 12 :i, 2. 
Shall I give an account of my deeds? — 1 Cor. 5 :io. 
Do I turn any to righteousness? — Dan. 12:3. 
Am I ready if Jesus comes? — Luke 12:40. 
For what did Paul pray ? — 1 Thes., 5 : 22-24. 
iWhat is God's will for me? — 1 Thes., 4:3. 
What was Jesus' prayer for his disciples? — John 17 
17-20. 

Why did Jesus suffer? — *Heb. 17:12. 

When shall I have power ? — Acts 1 :8. 

Do I love God with all my heart ? — 'Matt. 22 : 37. 

Shall God's words pass away ? — Matt. 24 :35. 



RECEIVING POWER. 

There need be no lack of power in the Christian life. 
We often hear persons say that they are serving the Lord 
"in their poor, weak way." This is not the Bible way, as 
the following references will indicate from the pen of 
Abbie C. Morrow : 

"Ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Spirit 
is come upon you." Acts 1 :8. 

1. The power to speak. Acts 2:4; 16 -.36; 4 :33. 

2. The power to move men. Acts 2 :37 ; 5 :33 ; 7 :54. 

3. The power of loving unity. Acts 2 '.44-46. 

4. The power of overcoming faith. Acts 3 :6-i6. 

5. The power of holy earnestness. Acts 4 :20. 

6. The power of prevailing prayer. Acts 5 131. 

7. The power of complete consecration. Acts 4 :34~37. 



SIFTED WHEAT. 151 

8. The power of discernment. Acts 5:3; 13:10; 11; 
14:9. 

9. The power of indomitable courage. Acts 5 129-3 1. 

10. The power to rejoice in persecution. Acts 5 141. 

11. The power to forgive enemies. Acts 7 :6o. 

12. The power of a pure heart. Acts 15:8, 9. 

DO YOU EVER PRAY FOR 

The policeman. 

The fireman. 

The old soldiers. 

The frontier preacher. 

The deaconesses. 

The Salvation Army. 

The slum workers. 

The tramps. 

The Jews. 

The Sunday toiler on steam cars, electric cars, steam 
boats, steam ships. Those shut up in jails, almhouses and 
penitentiaries. We seldom hear prayer offered for any of 
these. 



CHRISTIAN STEWARDSHIP. 
Matt. 6:19-34; Acts 20:35; 2 Cor. 9:7; 1 John 3:17, 18. 

■We have heard many persons say, "If I only had a 
million dollars I would help lift the burdens of the world." 
This suggests a very pertinent question, my friend. How 
much lifting are you doing with what you have? Almost 
without exception as one uses a single dollar, would he 



152 SIFTED WHEAT. 

use a million. A Christian steward is one whom God can 
trust. He has both sense and piety. He has given him- 
self and all that he has to God, and uses God's time, and 
God's money for his glory. This sort of a steward blesses 
himself, those about him, and has the continual favor of 
God. Thousands of persons, we believe, would be better 
off financially, physically and spiritually if they were only 
careful to see to it that God has his share of their sub- 
stance. A proverbial admonition says, "Honor the Lord 
with thy substance, and the first fruits of all thine in- 
crease : so shall thy barns be filled with plenty, and they 
presses shall burst out with new wine." 

The Christian steward has an O. P. J. (Old Patriarch 
Jacob) account. He reserves at least a tenth for God, and 
then takes pleasure in making several thank offerings 
beside. He prays about "giving" as well as his "getting." 
He uses that which God has given him thoughtfully and 
systematically. He does not put his "eggs all into one 
basket." There are more places than one where a small 
investment will mean "treasures laid up in heaven." The 
Christian steward practices self-denial. Selfishness has 
no place in his heart. Extravagance and the sinful use 
of money is constantly avoided. The little expenditures 
are watched, and there is no unnecessary outlay of funds. 
To sum it all up the Christian steward has a good time 
looking after his Lord's interests. Reader, are you really 
one of the Lord's stewards ? 



SIFTED WHEAT. 153 

THE SINFUL RICH. 

The daily papers reported the rich men and women of 
New York City as separating themselves from their 
money with much self-satisfaction. Here is the way they 
do it about Christmas : 

Royal porcelain dinner sets $6,000 apiece. Five sets 
sold in two days. 

Babies' bibs $50 apiece. Six go in a set — $300 

An umbrella $500. 

A made-to-order tiara of selected diamonds $11,500. 

A fan $1,000. 

A set of women's undergarments of three articles 
$2,500 

Rugs $15,000 each, and many at $1,000 were sold. 

Cigars $1 apiece, and several boxes sold at $100 a box. 
"Lots of customers pay $75 a hundred for their cigars 
and $60 and $40 per hundred is an ordinary price now-a- 
days," said the storekeeper. 

A basket of flowers $500, and plenty of orders. 

American Beauty roses $4 apiece. 

The only comment necessary is, "they shall have their 
reward," and they are having it. But for all this, God 
shall bring them into judgment, where they shall be 
judged according to their opportunity and works 



154 SIFTED WHEAT. 

SHOUTING. 

We do not believe in a manufactured shout. But a 
shout that comes spontaneously from a heart rilled to over- 
flowing with the love of God is as exhilarating as the 
zephyrs of a June morning. The psalmist says, "Be glad 
in the Lord, and rejoice, ye righteous and shout for joy, 
all ye that are upright in heart." The "righteous" (con- 
verted) are to "be glad" and "rejoice." We wish our 
churches were full of that kind. But the "upright" the 
downright, the inright, the outright, the allright folks — 
the perpendicular, straight up, middle-of-the-road men 
and women who have had the "plumb line" of entire 
sanctification laid against their hearts are to "shout for 
joy." And this reminds us that the psalmist is right, as 
there is but little shouting over religious experience aside 
from those whom God has made perfect in love. How 
would it do to resurrect the "Amen corner" and the 
"shouters' brigade" again. Such an innovation would 
undoubtedly destroy the carnal peace of some church 
members, but if we could have a few fervid hallelujahs 
and Amens put in at the right time, or some spirit-filled 
saint shout her bonnet off and hair down, it would spoil 
the monotony of some grave-yard congregations, be re- 
freshing to some of us, and, we believe, please God. 

SEVEN THINGS GOD HATES. 

(Prov. 6:17-19.) 

A proud look. 

A lying tongue. 

Hands that shed innocent blood. 

A heart that deviseth wicked imaginations. 



SIFTED WHEAT. 155 

Feet that be swift in running mischief. 

A false witness that speaketh lies. 

He that soweth discord among the brethren. 

A FENCE OF TRUST, 

(This is the famous little poem by Mrs. Mary F. 
Butts, who has just past away. 1 — Ed.) 

Build a little fence of trust 

Around to-day ; 
Fill the space with loving work 

And therein stay. 

Look not through the sheltering bars 

Upon to-morrow ; 
God will help thee bear what comes 

Of joy or sorrow. 



SELF-MASTERY OR SLAVERY. 

I Cor. 9 \2\-2j. 

Many a man has tried to master himself and failed. 
Some evil habit has fastened itself upon the life, defiling 
body and soul, and the victim realizing himself a slave 
tries to shake it off through self-will, but, alas ! the will 
has been enfeebled — paralyzed, and it does not respond 
and is not effective in warding off the serpent of habit. 
Defeat after defeat occurs until the poor soul, jaded, dis- 
couraged, broken, finally gives up the uneven struggle, 
and goes down to utter ruin. Friend, but few are strong 



156 SIFTED WHEAT. 

enough to resist temptation or break a habit in themselves. 
The race is "devilized," and there is no purely human 
ingenuity able to cope with his Satanic majesty, with his 
arts, schemes and diabolisms. Man is no match for the 
devil. How hopeless would be the outlook for the race 
if the battle was to be waged in the strength of humanity. 
But thank God there is a Deliverer. The cross held his 
body, the sun hid his face for shame, and the bowels of 
the earth weie moved in compassion, when Jesus expired 
on Calvary's rugged tree, thus purchasing redemption for 
every man from the curse and thraldom of sin. Now it 
is possible through Christ, and him alone, for the non- 
Christian or the "young Christian to enjoy complete 
mastery over the flesh, the world and the devil." If you 
attempt to get on in your own strength you can be almost 
certain of defeat. But if you will accept Christ to save 
you, and trust his Blood to purify you, you shall come 
off more than conqueror. 

Some of the striking imagery that Paul uses in this 
lesson is drawn from the Corinthian games, or more prop- 
erly speaking, "Isthmian games," held in the great "posei- 
donium"or sanctuary of Neptune. It stood a short distance 
northeast of Corinth, on a platform above a ravine. To 
the south of the temple may be seen the "stadium" in 
which, says the apostle, all the footracers ran, but only 
one received the prize. "There may be great disparity 
among the candidates, but every one who endureth to 
the end shall be saved. Each shall receive a crown as 
large as he can wear." Paul further declares that to be 
"temperate in all things" is a sure way to win a victory. 
We must not let our bodily appetites predominate in the 
slightest degree, or we weaken our chances of winning 



SIFTED WHEAT. 157 

the prize. If we would fight wisely and well, we must not 
fight at a venture. Have a definite aim. An alarming 
danger among so many young people is that they seem 
to have no aim in life. "Strive to enter in at the straight 
gate" is the admonition of Jesus. The young Christian 
who means to make heaven must persevere, have pluck 
and grace. God is ready to bestow these as fast as we 
ask him. May none of us fail. 

. SOME SLAVES. 

The tobacco slave. 

The rum slave. 

The cheap novel slave. 

The theatre slave. 

The social slave. 

The slave to pride. 

Reader, are you one of these? 



EMBRACING OPPORTUNITY. 

A deaconess who had been out nursing was returning 
home at three o'clock in the morning, and while standing 
on the corner of the street waiting for a car, came in 
contact with two young men, one of whom was under the 
influence of liquor. She spoke to them about their dis- 
sipation, and told them of Jesus who was able to save. 
The young man, who was intoxicated, was very wicked 
and exceedingly skeptical about religion. But the dea- 
coness said, "I will pray for you, and will ask the church 



158 SIFTED WHEAT. 

to pray for you, too." The next Sunday one of these 
young men attended church, and true to her promise 
the deaconess arose and asked the people to pray for the 
young- men that she had met, and especially the one who 
was intoxicated. The one who heard this returned home, 
and immediately told his companion. This was more 
than he could stand, and he determined to attend church 
himself as somebody was praying for him. He did so, 
the deaconess found him, led him to Christ, and the 
writer heard him relate this in a western city. He was 
still happy in the Lord, and at work helping to save 
others. How easy it would have been for this deaconess 
to have let these young men pass by without saying a 
word. But she was awake to her opportunity, spoke a 
word and won a soul. 



SOWING AND REAPING. 

The young man or young woman who sows to the flesh 
is sure to reap a bitter harvest. To sow to the flesh means 
that one will reap hardness of heart, indifference about 
religion, remorse, ruined health and deformed character. 
The common forms of worldliness are producing a fright- 
ful harvest. Sow progressive euchre, and you reap a 
gambler. Sow the wine glass, and you reap a drunkard. 
Sow a parlor dance, and you reap a common ball, and 
quite often a prostitute. Sow a theatre, and you reap 
indecency and lust. But there are other ways of sowing. 
We know of two accomplished young women who, re- 
gardless of parental advice, tears and prayers, were mar- 
ried to men far beneath their station in life. All was 
quite well for a time, but the reaping soon began. One 



SIFTED WHEAT. 159 

of these men brought disease home to his wife. Heart- 
ache, heartbreak and disgrace to herself and family, with 
final separation followed. The other is not much better. 
Young people, be very careful what you sow, if you want 
to reap a favorable harvest. "For whatsoever a man 
soweth, that shall he also reap." The reaping is sure to 
come sooner or later. 



TRUTH AND LIES. 
Eph. 4:45; Prov. 12:19; P sa - 5 1 '-6. 

Lying is a very common sin. It enters into all forms 
of social and business life. Many business men practice 
it without any seeming compunction of conscience. A 
great deal of the advertising found in the great daily 
newspapers is tinctured with untruthfulness. Selling 
goods at "half-price," "one-fourth off," "below cost," "you 
will never be able to get such bargains again," is a very 
common form of newspaper lying. We know enough 
about the ordinary business man to know that he is not 
in business for glory, and could not afford to sell goods at 
a loss. There may be a "catch" in some of this to bring 
customers to the store in hopes of selling other goods, but 
generally it is a plain prevarication, or there is deception 
somewhere. "There comes Mrs. Brown up the street, I 
do hope she is not coming to our house, she is such a 
meddler." But Mrs. B. arrives on the door step, rings the 
door bell, and Mrs. A., who just finished the above state- 
ment, goes to the door herself. "Why, how do you do 
Mrs. Brown, I am so pleased to see you, you have not 



160 SIFTED WHEAT. 

called on me since you came back from your summer vaca- 
tion, I am so delighted to have you call, can't you remain 
all afternoon ?" That is plain lying. Mrs. A. did not want 
to see her, and she did not want her to remain all after- 
noon, and she was untruthful when she said so. 

The disease of sin is at the bottom of all social and 
moral disorder. If we would keep from telling an untruth 
with our tongue, or any other way, the heart must be 
cleansed from all sin. Make the "center" of a man's 
being right, and his outward acts will be right. The Word 
says, "In holiness and righteousness." Holiness means 
purity on the inside, and righteousness means bright- 
ness" on the outside. To be right — strictly right, and to 
be truthful — strictly truthful, all the time is no small 
matter. Many are not conscientiously careful at this point, 
and a simple form of lying sooner or later leads to grosser 
sins. To be truthful one must have "truth in the inward 
parts." 

There is where real truth begins. As long as the "old 
man who is corrupt" remains in the heart, one is in 
danger of overstepping the bounds of strict veracity. The 
apostle says, "Lie not one to another seeing that ye have 
put off the old man with his deeds." Get rid of the "old 
man," and you will undoubtedly get rid of the source 
of all untruthfulness. 

FOR PERSONAL REFLECTION. 

Do I always tell the truth? 

Am I in the habit of using slang ? 

Do I use extravagant expressions? 

Am I living before God what I do before men ? 

Is my inward life as good as my outward life? 



SIFTED WHEAT. 161 

If I told a lie thougthlessly and afterward found it 
out, would I be willing to acknowledge it ? 



FLETCHER'S RULES. 

John Fletcher was a man of deep piety. Mr. Wesley 
so indicated in preaching his funeral sermon. Mr. Flet- 
cher drew up for his own guidance the following rules 
for daily self-examination. I pass them along to the 
young people : 

i. Did I awake spiritual, and was I watchful in keep- 
ing my mind from wandering this morning? 

2. Have I this day got nearer to God in prayer, or 
have I given way to a lazy, idle spirit ? 

3. Has my faith been weakened by unwatchfulness, 
or quickened by diligence? 

4. Have I walked by faith, and seen God in all 
things ? 

5. Have I denied myself in all unkind words and 
thoughts? Have I been delighted at seeing others pre- 
ferred? 

6. Have I made the most of my time, as far as I had 
light, strength and opportunity? 

7. Have I kept the issues of my heart in the means of 
grace, so as to profit by them ? 

8. What have I done this day for the souls and bodies 
of God's dear saints ? 

Sifted Wheat -11 



1G2 SIFTED WHEAT. 

9. Have I laid out anything to please myself, when 
I might have saved the money for the cause of God ? 

10. Have I governed well my tongue this day, re- 
membering that in a multitude of words there wanteth 
not sin ? 

11. In how many instances have I denied myself this 
day? 

12. Do my life and conversation adorn the Gospel 
of Jesus Christ? 

FOUR PRIVILEGES. 

Look unto Jesus. Heb. 12 : 2. 
Learn of Jesus. Matt. 1 1 : 29. 
Lean upon Jesus. Song of Sol. 8: 5. 
Live for Jesus. Phil. 1 : 21. 



SELFISH AMBITION AND CHRIST'S SERVICE. 

Mark 10 : 35-45 ; Matt. 16 : 24-26. 

Selfishness is the root sin of many a life. It springs 
entirely from human motive. Christianity is not selfish; 
it is wholly unselfish. A selfish Christian is a misnomer. 
One might as well talk about an honest thief. No one 
really gets an ambition for the service of Christ until 
they are ready to serve Christ, and one is only ready to 
serve Christ when he has been supernaturally born 
into Christ's kingdom. This certainly means much more 
than good resolutions, signing a card or even joining the 
church. The motive of a regenerated man is to do the 
things a Christian ought to do, and leave undone the 



SIFTED WHEAT. 163 

things a Christian ought not to do. His motive springs 
from within and is God-given. It is possible for men 
and women to do great things in the name of charity or 
philanthropy, and bring blessing to many, when the 
motive for giving does not come from a consecrated 
heart. Mr. Carnegie desires to benefit mankind by giving 
his libraries, and no doubt many will be helped in that 
way, but it seems to me if his heart was touched with the 
love of Christ he would find more pleasure in giving 
some of his great wealth directly for the salvation of 
souls. Sin deadens the sensibilities and weakens the 
intellects of men, and there are thousands who will never 
go near one of Mr. Carnegie's libraries, because they have 
no taste for reading. But get real salvation in a man's 
heart and usually he will want to know something. "The 
fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom." 

To have ambition is right. A young man or young 
woman without any ambition is sure to make an utter 
failure. A spark of ambition touched with the love of 
Christ will leap into a flame of divine energy that the 
worldling knows nothing about. Many a young man has 
ability enough to succeed if he would only stop trifling 
with sin. Let him continue in his career and he is sure 
of defeat. But let him order his life by that of Jesus 
Christ and he is sure to win. Selfish ambition may pros- 
per the individual for a time, but it will not stand the fires 
of the judgment. 



164 SIFTED WHEAT. 

THE HYGIENIC TRUTHS. 

The late Dr. Frank Hamilton, of Bellevue Hospital, 
is said to have framed the following curious decalogue of 
health precepts : 

1. The best thing for the inside of a man is the out- 
side of a horse. 

2. Blessed is he who invented sleep 1 — but thrice 
blessed the man who will invent a cure for thinking. 

3. Light gives a bronzed or tan color to the skin ; but 
where it uproots the lily it plants the rose. 

4. The lives of most men are in their own hands, 
and, as a rule, the just verdict after death would be felo 
de se. 

5. Health must be earned — it seldom can be bought. 

6. A change of air is less valuable than a change of 
scene. The air is changed every time the wind is changed. 

7. Mold and decaying vegetables in a cellar weave 
shrouds for the upper chambers. 

8. Dirt, debauchery, disease, and death are successive 
links in the same chain. 

9. Calisthenics may be very genteel, and romping very 
ungenteel, but one is the shadow, the other the substance 
of healthful exercise. 

10. Girls need health as much — nay, more — than 
boys. They can only obtain it as boys do, by running, 
tumbling — by all sorts of innocent vagaries. At least 
once a day girls should have their halters taken off, the 
bars let down, and be turned loose like young colts. 



SIFTED WHEAT. 165 

HIS CARE. 

I wish the readers of this book would commit to 
memory the following beautiful poem, written by the 
Rev. John Parker : 

HIS care. 

God holds the key of all unknown, 

And I am glad; 
If other hands should hold the key, 
Or if he trusted it to me, 

I might be sad. 

What if to-morrow's cares were here 

Without its rest? 
I'd rather he unlock the day, 
And, as the hours swing open, say, 

"Thy will is best." 

The very dimness of my sight 

Makes me secure, 
For groping in my misty way 
I feel his hand, I hear him say, 

"My help is sure." 

I cannot read his future plan, 

But this I know — 
I have the smiling of his face, 
And all the refuge of his grace, 

While here below. 

Enough ; this covers all my want, 

And so I rest; 
For what I cannot, he can see, 
And in his care I sure shall be 

Forever blest. 



166 SIFTED WHEAT. 

BIBLE MARKER. 

The following verses are appropriate for a satin Bible 
marker : 

Wherever you go, never go when you fear, 
If God's question were asked you, 
"What doest thou here?" 

Whatever you say, in a whisper or clear 
Say nothing you would not like God to hear. 

Whatever you think, in joy or in woe, 

Think nothing you would not like God to know. 

Whatever you write, in haste or in heed, 
Write nothing you would not like God to read. 

Whatever you sing, in the midst of your glees, 
Sing nothing that God's listening ear can displease. 

A FEW RULES FOR DAILY LIVING. 

1. Begin the day with prayer. 

2. Read the Scripture, a few verses at least. 

3. Meditate upon the Word and the Goodness of God. 

4. Train your mind to think pleasant thoughts. Avoid 
the low and sensual. 

5. Seek the companionship of the pure and good; 
such companions will help you maintain your Christian 
integrity. 

6. Be careful what you read. Your mind is not a 
sieve to catch all the filth that is going. Only read that 



SIFTED WHEAT. 167 

which will elevate and strengthen your Christian char- 
acter. 

7. Carry sunshine with you. Make somebody happy 
during the day. Lift some soul out of the "slough of 
despond." Say a kind word, write a letter or send a 
tract. 

A CALL TO PREACH. 

Four young men have recently said to the writer that 
for several years they felt that they had been called to 
and as a result life had proven a failure and they were 
unhappy. If this should strike the eye of some young 
man who feels that God wants him to preach we would 
advise him to cultivate the call, and instead of opposing 
and refusing to listen, say yes, and keep saying yes, until 
the opportunity opens. If God wants you the way will 
be made plain and all you need to do is to walk in it. 
Disobedience here will mean heart sorrow and utter 
failure. Listen carefully to the voice of God and then 
obey instantly. To preach the gospel is the noblest calling 
in this world, and happy ought to be the man who is so 
highly favored of God. 

SPARKS. 

If we would have the help of God in overcoming the 
domination that sin has over vis, we should put away all 
that tempts us to do evil and serve him faithfully. 

The fervent prayer of a righteous man, when rightly 
conceived, can effect more than all other men can do, 
because he calls out the power of God. 



168 SIFTED WHEAT. 

The nation is safe that is guided by the counsels and 
helped by the prayers of righteous men. 

It is better policy to increase the righteousness of a 
nation than it is to multiply its army and navy. 

Israel had a powerful intercessor in Samuel, but in 
Christ we have one that is far mightier. He ever liveth 
to make intercession for us. 

No one will ever seek to break away from the power 
of sin without a strong rallying of the forces of evil to 
prevent his doing so. 

It is the part of wisdom to fear the forces of evil. He 
who despises their power will be sure to be overcome by 
them. 

When the outlook for overcoming evil seems the 
blackest, cease not to cry unto God for help, for in him 
there is certain deliverance. 

No temptation can befall you out of which God can- 
not make a way of escape, if you fully place your trust 
in him. 

Memorialize every victory which the Lord helps you 
to win, saying: "Hitherto hath the Lord helped me." 
Soon the memorials will be so numerous that they will 
be a wonderful revelation of his assistance. 

Don't think that one great victory will end the 
conflict. The devil never gives up, even when he has 
been well whipped. 

Be not content until every portion of your nature has 
been wrested from the domination of evil. Let the Lord 
reign in every portion of your being. 



SIFTED WHEAT. 169 

TOTAL ABSTINENCE THE ONLY SAFE RULE. 

Dan. i : 8-15 ; 1 Thess. 5 : 22 ; 1 Pet. 2:11. 

No man will ever become a drunkard if he refrains 
from taking the first drink. But let him take the first 
glass of wine or beer and there is no telling what it will 
lead to. Many a young man has prided himself in being 
strong enough to drink and let it alone, but has utterly 
failed, and now fills a drunkard's grave. It is never wise 
to wilfully try one's strength at a danger point, for one 
is generally weaker than he supposes, and disaster is 
almost sure to follow. Better adhere to the Scriptural 
injunction and "Abstain from all appearance of evil." 
We know that it takes more than ordinary courage for a 
young man to turn down his wine glass in the presence 
of a brilliant host of society friends. Better be laughed 
at now than to be mocked by a legion of devils. Better 
to lose caste and friendship here than lose your soul at 
last. Courage, young man ; stand for the right. Let no 
gay, thoughtless girl sway you from strict total ab- 
stinence. 

Again, if you drink there may be some weaker brother 
who will stumble over your example. You owe it to 
yourself and to those around you to shun the wine glass 
as you would a viper. Let no false friend persuade you. 
Your yielding may mean disgrace for yourself or some 
one else. Better be unpopular with the crowd and main- 
tain your self respect. Avoid danger to yourself and 
your weaker brother. Be a manly man for Jesus' sake. 



170 SIFTED WHEAT. 

REST. 

Heartaches and heart-breaks everywhere. Many who 
ought to be saved are indifferent to the call of God. 
Loved ones are praying night and day, and often the 
burden seems greater than can be borne. Many are the 
sleepless hours, hours of anxious thought and agonizing 
prayer. Tired heart rest yourself awhile. The Father 
knows. His pitying eye is on thee. Katrina Trask has 
beautifully written: 

"Lie down and sleep, 
Leave it with God to keep 
This sorrow which is part 
Now of thy heart. 
When thou dost wake, 
If still 'tis thine to take 
Utter no wild complaint ; 
Work waits thy hands; 
If thou shouldst faint 
God understands." 



SATISFIED. 

I cannot say, 
Beneath the presence of life's cares today, 

I joy in these, 

But I can say 
That I would rather walk the rugged way 

If him it please. 



SIFTED WHEAT. 171 

I cannot feel 
That all is well when darkening clouds conceal 

The shining sun ; 

But then I know 
God lives and loves — can say, since it is so, 

"They will be done." 

I do not see 
Why God should e'er permit some things to be 

When he is love; 

Hut I can see, 
Though often dimmed through mystery, 

His hand above. 

I cannot speak 
In happy tones — the teardrops on my cheek 

Show I am sad; 

But I can speak 
Of grace to suffer with submission meek 

Until made glad. 

I do not look 
Upon the present, nor in nature's book, 

To read my fate ; 

But I do look 
For promised blessings in God's holy book, 

And I can wait. 

I may not try 
To keep the hot tears back, but hush the sigh, 

I might have been ; 

And try to still 
All rising murmurs, and to God's sweet will 

Respond, "Amen !" Selected. 



172 SIFTED WHEAT. 

THE SABBATH DAY FOR WORSHIP AND REST. 
Exod. 31 : 15-17 ; Mark 2 : 27. 

•Many persons work so hard and late Saturday night, 
that they are incapacitated for either public or private 
worship on the Sabbath day. Is this not a sin ? 

Others lay abed so late Sunday morning that it is 
with great difficulty they are able to attend church at 
all. While the Sabbath is a day of rest, it is far from 
a day of laziness. 

There is no better way to rest on the Sabbath day than 
to engage in active Christian work. Fill the hours with 
holy ministry, and you will feel refreshed for the labors 
of the morrow. 

Many think they must rest by taking long walks, 
strolling in the parks, bicycle or buggy riding. These 
are simply forms of dissipation, and very often Sabbath 
desecration. Dissipation of any sort never makes one 
feel rested, but restless, and is an injury to both soul 
and body. 

Many business men of the present day make a practice 
of getting their mail on Sunday, open and read it, thus 
carrying the burdens and business of the week into the 
Sabbath. This is all wrong, and should never be engaged 
in by any Christian. Such a practice violates the Sab- 
bath, has a bad influence, and is a sure indication of 
backsliding. 

The body and mind should be rested. Let me sug- 
gest (1) Meditation. Find a quiet nook somewhere, and 
spend a little time in meditation on the goodness of God, 
your relation to his kingdom, how best to advance Christ's 
kingdom among men, and your part in the matter. (2) 



SIFTED WHEAT. 173 

Self-examination. Take a good, square look at your 
own heart. Be honest enough with yourself to let in 
the full light. If there are any wrongs to be righted, 
right them, and do so at once. (3) Prayer. Com- 
munion with God will bring a refreshing to your soul. 
Not only pray for yourself, but interest yourself in some 
other soul, and lift it heavenward by your prayers. (4) 
Worship. Attend the means of grace. "Worship the 
Lord in the beauty of holiness'' is the divine admonition. 
Such activities on the Sabbath day will honor God, in- 
vigorate your body and strengthen the soul. 



EPIGRAMMATIC. 

Censoriousness usually springs from "soreness," not 
perfect love. 

Bud Robinson says : "God laughs over his soul." 
Surely this is holy laughter. 

A sure cure for "Blue Monday" is an "Amen" break- 
fast, a "Hallelujah" dinner and a "Praise the Lord" 
supper. 

"I am serving the Lord in my poor, weak way" is 
not according to Eph. 3 : 14-21. 

Six "hard" cases on a prayer card. Three gamblers 
and three formal church members. 

A seeker said : "God was hardening up his soft head 
and softening up his hard heart." 

"After you get sanctified wholly the devil can't 'stick 5 
the blues on you, God won't let him." 



174 SIFTED WHEAT. 

A Christian who does not stir up the devil is but 
little account for the Lord. 

A brother said: "I made up my mind to make it 
interesting for the devil, and then he made it interesting 
for me." 

It pays to live a holy life. John Bunyan's tomb has 
nearly all been taken by relic hunters. "Holy man" — they 
just want a piece of his tomb. 

The way to "get on in this world" is to "walk with 
God." Your path will then be heavenward, and the end 
a translation. 

Three things will make a young man succeed: i. A 
holy purpose. 2. A definite aim. 3. A high ideal. 



PURE GOLD. 

It is said that the way to tell genuine gold quartz 
is to examine it from every direction. If it is the genuine 
article it will glisten and sparkle no matter what posi- 
tion. There is a commodity that resembles gold, and 
under certain lights only will shine, but it is not pure. 
So it is with the real Christian and the nominal profes- 
sor. The one will shine wherever he is and Christ will 
be lifted up. The other only looks well under certain 
lights, and will not bear close scrutiny at all. There is no 
shining, because the pure gold of a sincere Christian life 
is not there. What a sad thing it is to occasionally have 
a counterfeit shine, and thus deceive yourself and those 
about you. Why not be a pure gold Christian, then if 
looked at from any angle the Christ-life will be radiated ? 



SIFTED WHEAT. 175 

WARMING HIMSELF BY THE ENEMIES' FIRE. 

Peter did not deny Christ until he had first warmed 
himself by the enemies' fire. He got on their territory, 
and then it was not long until he forgot his Lord and 
Master. Many young people go into sin just that way. 
They first go where they may be easily tempted. Cer- 
tain pleasures look very innocent, but they belong to the 
enemy, and once on the ground of the enemy, it is com- 
paratively easy to yield and commit the grosser sin. 
''Abstain from all forms of evil" is the divine command. 
To be safe one must carefully obey. Anything less will 
endanger the soul. Keep away from the enemies' fire 
if you would prove faithful to the end. 



THE YOUNG CHRISTIAN'S PLEASURES— 
THE RECREATION OF THE 
BODY, MIND AND SOUL. 

i Cor. 6:9; 10 : 31-33. 

The question is often asked, "If I become a Christian 
will I lose all my pleasure ?" Yes and no. You will lose 
all carnal pleasure, that which will damage your eternal 
interests, but you will not lose any legitimate pleasure, 
but will add that which will make you substantially 
happy. 

There must be certain relaxations from business and 
study. During these hours of relaxation the young 
Christian should be very careful not to dissipate body, 



176 SIFTED WHEAT. 

mind and soul. Cultivate the mind to think right, use 
the body in legitimate exercise, and avoid that which 
might bring a sting to the soul. 

'What are some of the legitimate pleasures that a 
young Christian can enjoy? This is an important ques- 
tion, and can only be answered suggestively. In the first 
place a young Christian or any other is not to be long- 
faced or coffin-shaped. Christianity does not spoil the 
buoyancy or jollity of youth. Keep happy; laugh "out 
loud", and do it often. "A merry heart maketh a cheer- 
ful countenance." 

1. The body. All out-door exercise is healthful and 
full of pleasure. 'Walking, running, jumping, strolls into 
the country or parks, nutting, gathering wild flowers, 
hunting, fishing, swimming, mountain climbing, tennis, 
croquet, golf, base ball, horse-back riding, these will all 
help the body when used in their proper sphere. 

2. The mind. It should be trained to grasp quickly 
and retain. There should be more young people who see 
God in his marvelous creative works. Nature every- 
where furnishes innumerable lessons to which many are 
blind. What a field of thought among the flowers, trees, 
rocks, birds, insects ; in variety numbering thousands, 
with their God-given instincts, able to propagate their 
species and care for themselves. Each one a world in 
itself. What a realm of supernatural manifestation 
here! Train the mind to think pure thoughts, and seek 
to glorify God in what you see about you belonging to 
this natural world. Remember you can bring the mind 
into proper subjection and cause it to obey. 

3. The soul. The body and mind are avenues to 
the soul. Keep these free from uncleanness and the 



SIFTED WHEAT. 177 

soul's sense will be magnified. Take in through these 
channels that which will elevate and purify. Let God 
have full sway, and he will make the soul a play ground 
full of holy delight. God has made all the beautiful 
things of the world, so he can make the soul after his 
own pattern, all beautiful within. A young Christian, 
who aspires after "heart culture," will delight God, com- 
fort himself and be a pleasure to those about him. 

WHAT TO AVOID. 

Avoid evil company. Have "spunk" enough to select 
your companions. Select good company, even if you must 
go by yourself. A man is known by the company he 
keeps — out of. 

Keep away from the questionable places. The theatre, 
dance, card table, circus, horse race, have the devil's sting 
in them, and are sure to make you lose your Christian 
experience. Professional base ball and professional foot 
ball as played now are not elevating to a young Christian. 

Avoid the use of slang, a rattle tongue, and trifling 
conversation. One of the easiest things in the world is 
to talk away a religious experience. 

Avoid the reading of "trashy" literature. Love stories 
and blood-and-thunder tragedies will soon tarnish your 
soul. 

REMEMBER 

You must save your soul. 

You must help to save others. 

Your influence is for good or bad. 

Somebody is watching you and will imitate you. 

Sifted Wheat— 12 



178 SIFTED WHEAT. 

That it is possible to prostitute any pleasure into a 
dissipation. 

That God is interested in your welfare, and wants you 
to be extremely happy here and now. Let him make 
you so. 



PUTTING UP ANOTHER RAIL. 

A brother recently said, "That when we testify for 
Christ it is putting another rail on the fence between us 
and Satan, and that he wanted to build a high fence." 
This is well, and we urge the reader to put on a rail at 
every opportunity. Make your fence high, so the devil 
cannot see over or climb over in your lot. But remember 
also, that to neglect to testify will take off a rail, and such 
an important duty frequently omitted, and there will be 
no fence, and you and Satan will be together in a common, 
worldly pasture field. Satanic familiarity means the loss 
of spiritual life, and if continued in, the loss of the soul. 
Keep away from the devil's "commons" by fervent prayer, 
active service, and the "putting up another rail on your 
fence" on every proper occasion. 

SOME REVIVAL "DONTS" FOR WORKERS. 

Don't argue. 
Don't be impatient. 
Don't "crowd" the mourners. 
Don't be discouraged if all you ask do not yield. 
Don't talk in one ear of a seeker while some one else 
is talking in the other. 



SIFTED WHEAT. 179 

Don't ever tell a seeker "you are saved," that is the 
Lord's business. 

Don't hesitate to show your colors that all other young 
people may know that you are a Christian. 

Don't let some one else do your praying and testifying. 
If you do you will soon not have anything to say or pray. 

Don't fail to keep much in prayer for divine direction 
in your personal work. The Lord will help you to become 
a wise soul-winner. 

MAKE IT COUNT. 

Your young people's meeting. Make it count for 
souls. Select leaders, and plan every devotional meeting 
to that end. Give a part of the time to the "mourner's 
bench," and try to get some one to occupy it. There is 
not enough direct, personal effort for souls in the young 
people's meeting, and many a meeting is dry and lifeless, 
and nothing in particular is accomplished. A few devoted, 
praying young people, who really love souls, can soon set 
a meeting on fire. Get out of the rut, do not be satisfied 
with the usual. Plan, pray, work for the "unusual." 
Bring something to pass. Get souls to God in your young 
people's prayer meeting. Do it the very next time you 
meet. 

KILLING TIME. 

It is a very common thing to hear one say, "I am 
killing time." What ! Killing time. You would shudder 
even at the thought of violating the sixth commandment, 
and yet you are murdering time. Eternity is simply time 
out of sight. Hence, to kill time is to do great violence 
to eternity. 



180 SIFTED WHEAT. 

Many young people say, "I must have a good time; 
I am only young once." And they proceed to "murder" 
the precious God-given moment, and ofttimes hours are 
spent in the most trifling frivolity. My young friend you 
cannot afford to thus put to death the passing hours of 
life. When once they have passed they have gone for- 
ever with their reward of weal or woe. To kill time is to 
commit sin against God. Are you awake to the serious- 
ness of this matter? If so, plan your waking hours, and 
fill them with holy ministry, either in daily avocation or 
special service. But make every minute count for God. 
Grotius once said : "I would give all my learning and 
honor for the plain integrity of John Urick, a poor man 
of great piety, who spent eight hours of his time in the 
study of God's Word, eight in labor, and but eight in 
meals, sleep and other necessities." Some day, I fear, 
some of us will wish that we had made better use of our 
time. 

TO ASCERTAIN GOD'S WILL. 

The career of Henry Drummond affords a fine illustra- 
tion of the study of the divine will. His biographer tells 
us how for some years he was uncertain about the issue 
of his life. During that time he studied carefully the 
teaching of the Bible upon the will of God. The result 
of his study he summarized in these eight maxims, which 
he wrote upon the fly-leaf of his Bible : 

"To find out God's will — 

"i. Pray. 

"2. Think. 

"3. Talk to wise people, but do not regard their deci- 
sion as final. 



SIFTED WHEAT. 181 

"4. Beware of the bias of your own will, but do not 
be too much afraid of it. God never unnecessarily thwarts 
a man's nature and liking, and it is a mistake to think that 
his will is in the line of the disagreeable. 

"5. Meantime do the next thing (for doing God's will 
in small things is the best preparation for knowing it in 
great things). 

"6. When decision and actions are necessary, go ahead. 

"7. Never reconsider the decision when it is finally 
acted upon ; and 

"8. You will probably not fined out till afterwards, per- 
haps, long afterwards, that you have been led at all." 



THE DANGER OF INDIFFERENCE. 
Hag. 1:2; Heb. 21 : 1-3 ; Jude 3, 20, 21. 

The danger of indifference is no more vital than the 
indifference of danger. 

The opiate of indifference administered by Satan has 
caused many a one to neglect duty, lose opportunites, para- 
lyze privilege, and at last lay a stranded wreck on the 
shores of time. 

The house of God should be neat and clean, but not 
extravagantly furnished. We do not believe in magnifi- 
cent cathedrals, where only a few worldly aristocrats 
gather for display, rather than worship. Such are an 
abomination in the eyes of the Lord. 

The Word of God is of tremendous import. The com- 
mands are imperative. They are easily understood. "Ye 



182 SIFTED WHEAT. 

must be born again." Whosoever is born of God does 
not commit sin." ""Be ye holy, for I am holy." "Abstain 
from all appearance of evil." "If any man love the world 
the love of the Father is not in him." 

Earnestness in Christian service is demanded of every 
one who calls himself a Christian. To compromise with 
any form of worldliness is to lose spiritual vitality. Hence, 
to be a "strong" Christian one must have a holy heart. 
Pentecost means Christianity on fire. Are you a pente- 
costal Christian ? 

To neglect the means of grace, private prayer, Bible 
study, Christian testimony and personal interest in the 
salvation of others is to approach a danger point. The 
omission of any one of these Christian duties will lead to 
indifference to others, and soon the soul will be barren 
and actually void of grace. Heed Jude 20, 21. 

Indifference on the part of sinners is very great. Much 
of the "newfangled" preaching has no stir of conscience 
in it. Unsaved men hear it and are not moved. The 
itching ears of worldly church members are only tickled. 
We need a return to the "old paths." A revival of 
Scriptural regeneration, witness of the Spirit, entire 
sanctification, judgment, hell, eternity, will awaken many 
from the sleep of death. 

"Faith of our fathers ! living still 

'In spite of dungeon, fire and sword ; 
O how our hearts beat high with joy 

When'er we hear that glorious word; 
Faith of our fathers ! holy faith ! 

We will be true to thee till death ! 



SIFTED WHEAT. 183 

"Our fathers chained in prisons dark, 
Were still in heart and conscience free ; 

How sweet would be their children's fate, 
If they, like them, could die for thee ! 

Faith of our fathers ! holy faith ! 
We will be true to thee till death ! 

"Faith of our fathers! we will love 

'Both friend and foe in all our strife ; 
And preach thee, too, as love knows how, 

By kindly words and virtuous life ; 
Faith of our fathers ! holy faith ! 

We will be true to thee till death !" 



"CURSED CHILDREN." 

2 Peter 2: 12-17. 

It is evident that at the rate which we are now living 
the succeeding generations will be physically and men- 
tally weaker: The use of narcotics, patent medicine, in- 
toxicating drink of all kinds, tobacco and cigars, mor- 
phine, opium and general dissipation on the part of many, 
lead to a weakening of physical vitality and a breaking 
down of physical nature. This condition is largely passed 
upon the progeny of the race with an alarming effect. The 
result of such sins upon the part of parents is, that chil- 
dren are cursed before they are born, and many are born 
with an inherited disposition found dominant in the life 
of the parent. We believe that it is a high crime against 
God for any man or woman to indulge in any habit that 



184 SIFTED WHEAT. 

might have a tendency to endanger or nullify the life of 
offspring. All children have a right to be "well born/' 
not "hell born." Here is a matter of vital importance 
that all should think about. 



LEARN TO SMILE. 

A smile is much better than a frown. We do not mean 
a deceitful smile, like the kiss of Judas, but a smile from 
a heart that has sunshine in it. "Looking on the bright 
side of things" is a habit worth cultivating. Such prac- 
tice will give one a pleasant countenance. Perfect love 
that "hopeth all things" is worth obtaining. That is, that 
hopes it is not so bad as represented. A heart wreathed 
in the love of God will nearly always make an illumined 
face, even in spite of sorrow. Some one has beautifully 
written, 

"I saw a smile — to a. poor man 'twas given, 

And he was old. 
The sun broke forth ; I saw that smile in heaven 

Wrought into gold — 
Gold of such luster was n'er vouchsafed to us. 
It made the very light of day more luminous. 

Wrought into gold ! We that pass down life's hours 

So carelessly 
Might make the dusty way a path of flowers 

If we would try. 
Then every gentle deed we've done, or kind word given, 
Wrought into gold, would make us wondrous rich in 
heaven." 



SIFTED WHEAT. 185 

DO YOUR BEST. 



"Like the star 
That shines afar, 
Without haste 
And without rest 
Let each man wheel with steady sway- 
Round the task that rules the day, 
And do his best." 



THE DANGER OF IDLENESS. 

Prov. 24 : 30-31 ; Rom. 12 : 11. 

"It was all grown over with thorns, the face thereof 
was covered with nettles." This is nature's method of 
writing down her verdict of a sluggard or a drunken 
farmer. 

"The stone wall broken down." Not only fences 
down, buildings unpainted and dilapidated,weeds growing 
and farm land uncultivated, but everywhere nature paints 
a picture which is a perfect picture of the man himself. 
He is like his farm, he is "run down." 

Mr. Moody says "that a good many people are always 
crying out, my leanness ! my leanness ! when they ought 
to say, my laziness ! my laziness !" Yes, that is true. When 
it comes to praying through, or doing effective Christian 
work that requires self-sacrifice, many are too lazy. How 
much such persons miss ! They miss the added strength 
brought on by activity, the blessing of God as a reward 



186 SIFTED WHEAT. 

of effort, and the peace of conscience in a ministry to 
others. 

"Give me this day 

A little work to occupy my mind ; 
A little suffering to sanctify 

My spirit ; and, dear Lord, if thou can find 
Some little good that I may do for thee 
I shall be glad, for that will comfort me. 
Mind, spirit, heart — I lift them all to thee." 

The Lord's work demands activity. There is im- 
measurable danger in idleness. Christian endeavor means 
spiritual enlargement. We do not mean that which is 
ordinarily called Christian work, such as entertainments, 1 
suppers, socials and money raising. But that which comes 
from genuine Christlike service. Where method, effort 
and time is given under the direction of the Holy Spirit, 
with the end in view that souls shall find Christ, such work 
always gives an uplift to the soul. 



PERFECTION IN WORKS. 

The Scriptural demand is far in advance of the actual 
sample shown by many who are called by the name of 
Christian. In fact, it would seem that most any "old 
thing" would do in the service of the King. A vital mis- 
take is thus made. If we would receive the commendation 
of our Father we must first "be at our best" and then "do 
our best" with all the physical strength we have. This 



SIFTED WHEAT. 187 

contemplates ( i ) heart perfection, or personal perfection, 
as indicated in 2 Tim. 3 : 17, "That the man of God may be 
perfect." It's a very difficult matter to run machinery 
without steam. It is just as difficult to order our outward 
deportment or to do effective Christian work with a relish 
without the motive power of a clean heart. (2) "Thor- 
oughly furnished unto all good works" is the intense 
practical side of our Christian life. There must be a 
higher standard of Christian service. The Word demands 
it. It should be emphasized in pulpit and pew. But re- 
member we cannot expect much better service unless the 
heart has first been made clean by the baptism with the 
Holy Spirit. Heart purity if maintained will produce an 
effective ministry and an active pew. When will the 
church universal awake to this important truth? 

CHOOSING A WIFE. 

Some Christian young men make a frightful mistake 
in marrying a giddy, frivolous girl simply because she is 
pretty, vivacious, and perhaps a ready conversationalist. 
When home duties are thrust upon such a creature her 
butterfly training is utterly incapable of meeting the ex- 
igency. Domestic duties are irksome, and as to assum- 
ing the duties of a wife and mother she is clearly 
incompetent. She has no taste for religious devotion, 
and that which would be a pleasure to her husband 
is foreign to her nature. There is nothing solid about 
her. Yet young men with sound judgment in business 
affairs and with a religious disposition, plight their faith 
and future happiness to this doll dressed up in a woman's 
clothes. Young man, if you should be tempted to make 



188 SIFTED WHEAT. 

such a life choice, your doom is sealed. The chances are 
that your gay companion will lead you away from the 
Christ you now love, cause you to lose faith in Christianity 
that has been such a source of comfort in the dark hours 
of trial, and thrust upon you domestic infelicity that will 
bring many a heartache. Choose your life companion 
with thought and prayer. Demand sense, judgment, 
health, piety, and you can have a home that will be like a 
little corner of heaven. 



FOUR RED FLAGS: SELF-CONCEIT; PREJ- 
UDICE ; JEALOUSY ; RECKLESS HANDLING 
OF ANOTHER'S NAME. 

Rom. 12:16; Prov. 6 : 34 ; Phil. 2 : 3. 

A red flag or a red light usually means danger. We 
frequently see such lights in front of a saloon, theatre or 
brothel. Danger ! Danger ! ! 

A man with self-conceit is like a strutting peacock 
with spread tail. He is self-centered, usually irrational, 
and very often despotic. It is a dangerous disease. 
Shun it. 

"Be not wise in your own conceits" (Rom. 12-16) 
means, "Be not wise with yourselves." The man who 
thinks he is a "Cyclopedia of Universal Knowledge" and 
that about all the wisdom will die when he ceases to 
breath, is a fool, indeed. There are some such. 

Prejudice, jealousy and the reckless handling of an- 



SIFTED WHEAT. 189 

other's name spring from the same root in the heart, 
namely, the "old man" of sin. The extirpation of the 
carnal mind, through the baptism with the Holy Ghost 
and fire has cured many a case of prejudice and jealousy, 
and is almost always a "regulator" of the tongue. 

Self-forgetfulness and a thoughtfulness for others is 
a motive that generally springs from a pure heart. A 
beautiful illustration is given in the life of Frances Wil- 
lard. She arrived at a Western hotel ill, but she said, 
"Let her come up" to the request of a young lady reporter 
wrio desired an interview. Scarcely had the conversation 
opened when Miss Willard said, "Why, dearie, how tired 
you look! Take my chair, child." "And I — well," said 
the reporter, when she sent flowers to Miss Willard's 
funeral, "nobody had called me 'dearie' for so long, no- 
body had called me 'child/ that I, homesick, overworked, 
discouraged — well, I put my head on Frances Willard's 
shoulder and cried it all out." 

All great souls are simple. They are far removed 
from prejudice, jealousy, carping- criticism or inuendo. 
Magnanimity, self-forgetfulness, unselfishness and love of 
others are true characteristics. These spring from the 
pure love of God in the soul. Some one has said, 

"Self is the only prison that can ever bind the soul, 
Love is the only angel who can bid the gates unroll ; 
And, when he comes to call thee, arise, and follow fast: 
His way may lie through darkness, but it leads to light 
at last." 



190 SIFTED WHEAT. 

WAITED TOO LONG. 

It was a Sunday night. The great church was 
crowded with people to hear the old gospel. The preacher 
gave an earnest plea for sinners to be converted. Many 
came forward to the altar to seek the Lord. One young 
man heard the call, but said to himself, "not to-night," 
made his way from the church, but impressed that he 
ought to have decided for Christ. He went to his work 
the next morning as usual in the railroad yards. He was 
in the act of coupling two cars when his foot slipped and 
he was caught between the bumpers and horribly crushed. 
He was dragged out, and almost the first words he said 
were, "I was at the church last night, and felt I ought to 
have been saved. But no one invited me and I came away 
without making a decision." And then with words of 
utter horror he said, "I am dying and my soul is lost," 
and in fifteen minutes he was dead. 

He put it off one night too long. He might have been 
saved, for God called him, and he heard the message and 
the invitation. My unsaved friend, hear the call of God 
and seek him while he may be found. To-morrow may be 
too late. 

WHAT SOME YOUNG PEOPLE'S SOCIETIES 
MIGHT DO. 

They might have accommodating ushers for the young 
people's prayer meeting. 

They might visit the hotels each Sunday morning and 
invite the traveling men to church. 

They might visit the hospital, hold a religious service 



SIFTED WHEAT. 191 

where possible, and leave flowers and wholesome reading 
matter for the patients. 

They might pack a barrel of fruits and vegetables and 
one of clothing and send to the nearest deaconess' home. 

They might make a list of names of young men in the 
community who do not attend church, and invite them to 
come and then work for their conversion. 

They might make the young people's prayer meeting 
a place of religious fervor, making a special effort to lead 
souls to Christ. 



VICTORY. 

" When life is done and climbed its craggy steeps, 

All hot suns set ; 
When in vast joy that neither sighs nor weeps, 

We then are met; 
-What rest shall hold our hands, and grace, 

Like evening psalm, 
Shall whisper peace ! And from the troubled face 

Heaven's blessed calm 
Shall every tear stain wipe away, and fear; 

■With Christ at hand, 
No heartache can through golden years draw near 

That heavenly land." 

"Have you any wrong to right — right it. 
Do you have a sin to fight — fight it 
God himself will help you win, 
Let his Spirit enter in, 
Making right the heart within, 
Fit for heaven above." 



192 SIFTED WHEAT. 

IF I WERE YOU, MY BOY, 

I would not smoke; 
I would not swear ; 

I would not loaf about tobacco stores and pool rooms ; 
I would not go in company with boys who use bad 
language ; 



CONFIDENCE IN GOD. 
I Cor. 3 : 21-23 » 1 Tim. 6 : 17 ; 2 Tim. 1 : 12. 

Does this topic infer that there are those in the church 
who do not have confidence in Godi? If there are such, 
they evidently are not Christians. 

There must be confidence in God on the part of the 
unsaved. This is the very ground of faith. "We must 
believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them who 
diligently seek him." There can be no salvation for the 
sinner without this confidence. 

Confidence in God is to trust our case to his keeping. 
A full reliance that he will do all that he has promised. 
Or in other words, taking God at his word. Such implicit 
trust will be sure to bring the joy of salvation. It will 
also bring a ready answer to our prayers. 

To pray with no confidence in God to answer, would 
be like presenting your check at bank to have it cashed, 
when you had no bank account. It would seem that many 
pray that way. Of course there is no answer to such 
praying. But when we come with fidelity and humble 



SIFTED WHEAT. 193 

confidence that God is able to perform all that he has 
promised, how speedy the answer. 

The vast riches of the material and spiritual world be- 
long to God. He delights to share his riches with his 
children. Through Christ "all things are yours." Do not 
be afraid to ask largely. God honors "big" faith. If we 
would enjoy material or spiritual riches, the end in view 
must be to glorify God. Such seeking will bring one into 
intimate acquaintance with God, where it is easy to say, 
"I know whom I have believed." 



HELPS TO INCREASE OUR CONFIDENCE IN 

GOD. 

A careful reading of the Bible. 

Searching for the deeper spiritual truths. 

Noting the fulfillment of prophecy in every par- 
ticular. 

Mark the magnitude of the promises and note their 
verification in your experience. 

A secret place to pray where you are alone with God. 
Learn to know the voice of the Spirit. 

A direct personal interest in the salvation of souls. 
Select some one and then work and pray for his or her 
salvation and mark how wonderfully God helps. 

The large view of the mighty influences of Chris- 
tianity. Then think of the noble army of men and women 
who have ventured to put their complete confidence in 
God and have carried the gospel to the ends of the earth. 

Sifted Wheat— 13 



194 SIFTED WHEAT. 

HELP SOMEBODY. 

"If when the joyous day is gone 
I count the deeds that I have done, 

And find one act. though small — 
A loving word, a song, a smile — 
That did some saddened heart beguile, 

Or to a soul recall 
The sunlight of the Father's love, 
Then I will thank my God above." 

REGULATORS. 

Some precious souls are always trying to regulate the 
universe. They see much to criticise and condemn in their 
brothers and sisters. It is not enough to keep it in their 
hearts, but they must speak or write about it. Well, my 
brother or sister you have a big contract on hand to set 
everything and everybody right. This sort of a "regulator 
spirit" will soon lead one to harshness or bitterness or 
judgment incapable of righteous discernment. It is al- 
most sure to be fatal to spiritual life. And the thing which 
we so tenaciously condemn in others we are guilty of our- 
selves. This surely is not a wise course and should not 
be pursued. "The love of Christ constraineth me" to 
"avoid the appearance of evil," and to have Christ-like 
charity for all. This does not mean to be "wishy-washy" 
in our attacks upon sin. Jesus must shine in your life 
and mine if we would attract men to the gospel. 



SIFTED WHEAT. 195 

YOUNG WOMAN : 

You had better learn to sew. 

You had better learn to bake. 

You had better learn to keep a tidy house. 

You had better help mother mend the children's stock- 
ings and make yourself otherwise useful around the house. 

You had better not cry and pout or grow peevish or 
fretful, under restraint or parental advice. 

You had better practice economy, self-denial, self- 
restraint, humility, love. Such flowers will grow in the 
garden of your soul, and blossom into fragrance and 
beauty. 

You had better avoid taking into your mind the trash 
of the street, world or literature. Poison is always dan- 
gerous. Read pure books, train your mind to think pure 
thoughts, and your character will be strong, robust, 
healthy. 

You had better not marry an unsaved young man. 
See to it that Christ has the first place in your life and 
demand as much from him who is to be your constant 
companion. This will save you from a thousand heart- 
aches, enhance domestic felicity and very greatly help 
you on your way to heaven. 

Young woman, will you heed this kindly advice ? 

SUGGESTIVE. 

O-vercometh the world — i Jno. 5 : 4. 

B-e ye doers of the Word — Jas. 1 : 22. 

E-ternal life — Rom. 6 : 23. 

D-oeth the will of my Father — Matt. 7:21. 

I-nheritance among the sanctified — Acts 26 : 18. 



196 SIFTED WHEAT. 

E-ndure hardness as a good soldier — 2 Tim. 2 : 3. 
N-ever leave thee nor forsake thee — Heb. 13 -.5. 
C-onformed to the image of his Son — Rom. 8 : 29. 
E-ndureth temptation — Jas. 1 : 12. 



"WHEN THOU ART CONVERTED." 

The above sentence occurring in Luke 22 : 32 is mis- 
understood by many young people. They conclude that 
Peter was an unconverted man and was not really brought 
into relation with Christ until the day of pentecost. The 
word "converted" is not properly translated in the au- 
thorized version, but is more correctly translated in the 
Revised Version, which says, "when once thou hast 
turned" or as Adam Clark and Dean Alford say, "return- 
ing as a penitent after sin." Or in plain every day Eng- 
lish, being restored after backsliding. This is evidently a 
correct translation as clearly indicated by verses 31 and 
32. For verse 31 says, "And the Lord said, Simon, Simon, 
behold, Satan hath desired to have you, that he may sift 
you as wheat." If Satan "desired to have him" it is plain 
he did not already have him at this time. Then again in 
verse 32 Jesus said, "I have prayed for thee, that thy 
faith fail not." Hence Peter had "faith," and was a saved 
man. But he lost his relationship when he denied his 
Lord, but "went out and wept bitterly and was restored 
before the day of pentecost as is shown in John 21 : 15-17, 
especially the seventeenth verse. Jesus said, "Lovest thou 
me?" and Peter answered with much heart emphasis, 
"Lord, thou knowest all things ; thou knowest that I love 
thee." This is the language of a trusting heart, and not 
of a sinner or backslider. So, that those at pentecost in- 



SIFTED WHEAT. 197 

eluding Peter, enjoyed initial salvation, while the pente- 
costal baptism meant the expurgation of remaining defile- 
ment, according to Acts 15:8-9, and the enduement of 
spiritual "power" for life and service, and was a second, 
definite, distinct work of grace wrought in the heart by 
the Holy Spirit. 

MAKE SURE OF HEAVEN. 

Heaven is beautiful beyond imagination. It is made 
on the plan of an infinite God. God's mighty hand is 
wonderfully displayed in this material universe. The ex- 
pansionless ocean hemmed in by a ledge of sand. The 
majestic mountains lifting their lofty peaks above the 
clouds. The unnumbered worlds in sight of the modern 
telescope, all suggest the greatness of God. God has made 
a heaven for redeemed spirits, infinite in extent, with in- 
numerable societies of angels, beautiful beyond the imagi- 
nation of man to conceive. We would encourage you to 
meditate more about heaven. Such meditation will make 
you tender, loving, sympathetic. Heaven is God's spirit- 
ual kingdom. God is a Spirit, therefore his kingdom must 
be spiritual. Heaven is not material. It is foolish to think 
of heaven situated in any planet or star in the material 
universe. Heaven, however, is sure, substantial. The 
Bible plainly says so. Every man who gets to heaven will 
enjoy it to his fullest extent. Heaven will be his "very 
own," and his surroundings will appear in harmony with 
his peculiar genius. We undoubtedly shall appear as men 
and women, with all the highest possibilities of intelli- 
gence, continually increasing throughout eternity, fash- 
ioned after the similitude of our heavenly environments. 



198 SIFTED WHEAT. 

What a prospect, what beauty, what magnificent gran- 
deur, what associations, what triumphant achievements. 
Music, songs, choruses in unspeakable tidal waves of holy 
harmony that will embellish and fairly ravish the re- 
deemed spirits. Heaven, heaven, heaven, who will be so 
thoughtless as to miss it. Remember, that salvation 
through Jesus Christ will give you a title to that beauti- 
ful place, and holiness of heart will make you fit to enjoy 
it. My brother, my sister, make sure of heaven. 



TRY SMILING. 

"Why scowl and growl at all you find, 

Nor heed hope's sweet beguiling ? 
Each frown will leave its mark behind. 
A ragged scar upon the mind — 
Try smiling." 



SOME THINGS THE LEAGUE MIGHT DO. 

It might hold open air meetings in many places during 
the Summer months. 

It might make a special effort to reach all the young 
men who do not attend church. 

It might make a special effort to have the members 
attend one or more holiness camp meetings. 

It might make the young people's prayer-meeting a 
place where souls would be converted. 

It might furnish more young women for the deaconess 
work. 



SIFTED WHEAT. 199 

It might have more members who would tithe their 
income. 

It might emphasize the experience of pentecost, 
namely, — the baptism with the Holy Ghost and fire, — as 
an absolute pre-requisite to soul winning. 



THREE "G'S" TO AVOID. 

There are certain characteristics that enter into the 
makeup of some people that are a real hindrance, i — 
The grabber. The men or women who want everything 
they see, and who plan, scheme and lay awake nights to 
get it. Not satisfied or content with such things as they 
have, although very often they have a plenty. 2 — The 
groaner. Whose sigh is like the weird moan of the 
mountain forest, whether the news be good or bad. Moan, 
groan, grunt, at almost everything. Never can see any 
good in anything. One long, continued g-r-o-a-n ! ! ! 3— 
The grumbler. Grumble, grumble, grumble. The 
weather, business, children, preacher, church are appro- 
priate themes for this individual to wag his tongue about. 
What a pity there are such folks, but there are. The only 
cure we know is a chronic case of salvation. This will 
take out the grab and put in contentment, it will change 
the groan into a shout of praise, and make a victorious 
Christian out of the grumbler. It seems almost too good 
to be true, but it is. Reader, if you are afflicted with 
either of the three "G's" seek salvation at once. 



200 SIFTED WHEAT. 

ATTENDANCE ON THE MEANS OF GRACE. 
Heb. 12:20-25. 

This topic does not say attendance upon church 
services, for some church services are exceedingly dry, 
without juice or taste, and have no "means of grace" in 
them. 

But a church that really sets a good table laden with 
palatable spiritual food for the soul, is like a "well watered 
garden" in any community. Only God knows how many 
hungry souls are fed and helped by such a church. 

Some churches and some preachers furnish a means 
of "disgrace" rather than grace. Think of a prominent 
Methodist church advertising in the daily papers of a 
large city, "A Kounty Fair" with attractions like, "horse 
races," "Punch and Judy," "Frog Holler," "fortune 
telling," "sale of old bachelors." This we suppose was to 
help "hold" the young people. 

Then think of a preacher supposedly called of God, 
standing between the living and the dead, with immortal 
souls at stake all about him, taking for his subject, "If I 
were a girl," "The modern Bicycle craze," "Who wrote 
Shakespeare," "Is it right to pray," and then said sharp, 
funny things that made the people laugh, and sent his 
hearers away starved and lean. It was not a means of 
grace. 

Thank God for the spiritual preachers, and spiritual 
churches where the old gospel is dispensed and the flock 
of God is fed. Of course we would urge attendance upon 
such "means of grace." By the use of such means the 
soul will grow, God's house become^ a jreal delight, and 



SIFTED WHEAT. 201 

tne tie of love and friendship binding Christian hearts, 

will be "like that above." People do not need much 
/'coaxing" to attend such a church. 



TO MAKE THE CHURCH SERVICES A MEANS 

OF GRACE. 

Thought and preparation in advance. 

Take some part in prayer, song or testimony. 

Preach, pray, sing with the end in view that souls will 
be saved. 

Let the young people attend the midweek prayer meet- 
ing. Your presence will help some one else. 

Plan to make each service spiritual, with variety 
enough to keep out of ruts. A smile, a hearty handshake 
and attention to strangers will help. 



"AN EXAMPLE OF THE BELIEVERS." 

Paul's stirring exhortation to Timothy is worthy of 
careful attention. Efficiency in life and service will surely 
be the result, if these earnest words of scripture are 
heeded. There is entirely too much "easy going" among 
Christians. The result is, leanness of soul, lack of results 
in Christian effectiveness, and the loss of much fruit that 
might be gathered for Christ's kingdom. Study these 



202 ' SIFTED WHEAT. 

words and measure your life by them. "Be thou an ex- 
ample of the believers, 

In word, 

In conversation, 

In charity, 

In spirit, 

In faith, 

In purity." 

(i Tim. 4: 12). 



"WHEN HE HAD SPENT ALL." 

Some young people as well as others are regular 
spendthrifts. They do not realize the value of money. 
Every cent they earn or have given them must go for 
something. We see them in the stores buying cheap 
jewelry, millinery trash and the like. There seems to be 
no thought of economy or saving. The Prodigal Son was 
like that. But he struck bottom and finally got some sense. 
It is much better to have sense and you need not strike 
bottom. The "bottom" experience is a bitter one. No 
young man or young woman need go that way who will 
exercise a little care. Christ offers contentment as well as 
inspiration to a noble, successful life. Then too, rather 
than waste all the treasures of earth, why not lay up treas- 
ures in heaven. My young friend you had better make 
sure of a good sized bank account in heaven. 



SIFTED WHEAT. 203 

IF I WERE YOU, MY GIRL, 

I would avoid pouting. 

I would keep from fault-finding. 

I would be thoughtful about mother. 

I would lend a hand at baking, washing, ironing. 

I would keep my room tidy, and not leave wearing ap- 
parel and toilet articles lying about everywhere. 

I would select my girl friends and only associate with 
those who are pure and good. 

I would not walk the street with a young man with a 
cigar in his mouth, or who spits tobacco juice on the side- 
walk. 

I would be a spiritual Christian, and I would demand 
the same of my "special" gentleman friend. 

I would set a high ideal in physical and spiritual life 
and then I would ask God to help me reach it. 

LITTLE SPARKS. 

"Enter ye in at the strait gate." Remember that the 
gate is at this end of the journey. 

And only straight men can get through the strait 
gate. 

James declares that some people talk so much they 
hav'nt got any religion left. 

Character is what a man is at midnight. Reputation 
is what he is in daylight. 

The way to be a strong Christian is to have plenty 
of moral muscle. 



204 SIFTED WHEAT. 

KEEP THE VISION OF CHRIST CLEAR. 
Acts 7:55-56; 27:25. 

A penny held close to the eye will shut out the view 
of the sun, so a little sin in the heart will obstruct a clear 
vision of Christ. 

A small gnat lighting on a rifle barrel will prevent 
the gunner from seeing clearly through the sights. A 
little pride, envy, doubt, or unbelief is a spot on the soul 
and will hinder spiritual eyesight. 

Clear spiritual vision is a natural sequence of a pure 
heart. "He being full of the Holy Ghost, looked up ... . 
and saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing on the 
right hand of God." Of course Christ would be revealed 
to such a man. "Blessed are the pure in heart, for they 
shall see God." 

With the coming of the Comforter in his sanctifying 
power, men and women have been led to attempt great 
things in the name of the Lord. Faith is quickened and 
enlarged, the vision keen and far-sighted. So that the 
great religious movements have been led by men whose 
spiritual eyesight was made clear by a touch of God's 
power, and they were led to attempt great things in the 
name of Christ. 

(Having received a vision of Christ we should do our 
best to keep that vision clear. To do this all of the or- 
dinary Christian duties must be practiced. Secret 
prayer, public prayer, Christian conversation, the daily 
study of the Bible, and the reading of other safe religious 
books. The neglect of any of these duties will blur the 
vision. Disobedience will dim the vision. Self-seeking 
or self-pleasing will dim the vision. Courting the world, 



SIFTED WHEAT. 205 

a heedless tongue or unkind words will dim the vision. 
Not to hunger and thirst after righteousness will surely 
dim the vision. To desire above all things else to be obe- 
dient to the whole will of God, will keep the spiritual 
eyesight clear, and quick to perceive that which will de- 
light the soul. 

"Let thy sweet presence light my way, 
And hallow every cross I bear; 

Transmuting duty, conflict, care 
Into love's service day by day." 

STRANGE BIBLE FACTS. 

The learned Prince of Granada, heir to the Spanish 
throne, imprisoned by order of the crown for fear he 
should aspire to the throne, was kept in solitary confine- 
ment in the old prison at the Place of Skulls, Madrid. 
After thirty-three years in this living tomb, death came 
to his release, and the following remarkable researches, 
taken from the Bible and marked with an old nail on 
the rough walls of his cell, told how the brain sought 
employment through the weary years. 

In the Bible the word "Lord" is found 1,853 times. 

The word "Jehovah" 6,855 times. 

The word "reverend" but once, and that in the ninth 
verse of Psalm in. 

The eighth verse of the ninety-seventh Psalm is the 
middle verse of the Bible. 

The ninth verse of the eighth chapter of Esther is the 
longest. 



206 SIFTED WHEAT. 

The thirty-fifth verse of the eleventh chapter of St. 
John is the shortest. 

In the one hundred and seventh Psalm four verses are 
alike — the eighth, fifteenth, twenty-first and thirty-first. 

Ezra 7: 21, contains all the letters of the alphabet 
except j. 

All verses of the one hundred and thirty-sixth Psalm 
end alike. 

No names or words of more than six syllables are 
found in the Bible. 

Thirty-seventh chapter of Isaiah and nineteenth chap- 
ter of Second Kings are alike. 

The word "girl" occurs but once in the Bible, and that 
in the third verse of the third chapter of Joel. 

There are found in both books of the Bible 3,538,483 
letters, 773,693 words, 31,373 verses, 1,189 chapters and 
66 books. 

The twenty-sixth chapter of the Acts of the Apostles 
is the finest chapter to read. 

The most beautiful chapter is the twenty-third Psalm. 

The four most inspiring promises are John 14: 2; 
6 : 37 ; Matthew 1 1 : 28 ; Psalm 37 : 4. 

The first verse of the sixtieth chapter of Isaiah is the 
one for the new convert. 

All who flatter themselves with vain boasting should 
read the sixth chapter of Matthew. 

All humanity should learn the sixth chapter of St. 
Luke from the twentieth verse to its ending. 



SIFTED WHEAT. 207 

"■WE KNOW." 

In this day when there are so many questions asked, 
so many opinions expressed, and when even the "elect" 
are in danger from some "ism" or false doctrine, it is 
well to note the positiveness with which John wrote 
concerning experience. 

We do know that we know him. i Jno. 2 : 3. 

We know that when he shall appear we shall be like 
him. 1 Jno. 3 : 2. 

We know that we have passed from death unto life 
because we love the brethren. 1 Jno. 3 : 14. 

We know that we are of the truth. 1 Jno. 3 : 19. 

We know that he abideth in us by the Spirit wnich 
he hath given us. 1 Jno. 3 : 24. 

We know the spirit of truth and the spirit of error. 
1 Jno. 4 : 6. 

We know that we dwell in him, and he in us, because 
he hath given us of his Spirit. 1 Jno. 4 : 13. 

We know that we love the children of God. 1 Jno. 
5:2. 

'Wje know that he hears us, whatsoever we ask. 1 
Jno. 5:15. 

We know that we have the petition that we desired 
of him. 1 Jno. 5:15. 

We know that whosoever is born of God sinneth not. 
1 Jno. 5 : 18. 

We know that we are of God. 1 Jno. 5 :ig. 

We know that the Son of God has come. 1 Jno. 5 : 20. 

We know him that is true. 1 Jno. 5 : 20. 



208 SIFTED WHEAT. 

USE EVERY OPPORTUNITY. 
2 Tim. 4 : 2. 

"Preach the Word." This striking admonition from 
the pen of the aged, saintly Paul to his best beloved 
earthly friend should be heeded by every minister in 
America. The people everywhere are hungry for the 
Word of Life. 

A good deal of preaching is "from" a text of 
Scripture. That is, it is so far away "from" the text 
that long before the end of the sermon the text is lost 
sight of. Simple Bible exposition is much needed in this 
day. Outside the holiness movement there is but little ex- 
pository preaching. 

To "use every opportunity" requires piety, skill and 
persistency. Opportunities pass with the swiftness of 
time, and a dull, lazy, lukewarm, professing Christian 
will hardly embrace any of them. One must be alert to 
the tremendous needs of the time, the value of a soul, the 
horrors of an awful hell where lost men and women must 
inevitably plunge, if opportunities are to be embraced. 

Mr. Spurgeon quaintly says, "It is wretched business 
for a man to call himself Christian, and have a soul 
which never peeps out from between his own ribs. It is 
horrible to be living to be saved, living to get to heaven, 
living to enjoy religion, and yet never live to bless others 
or ease the misery of a moaning world." It is deplorable 
how few there are, when compared with the great mass 
of church members, that are about the Master's business, 
who can be depended on for definite spiritual work. 

We wish we might stir the reader's heart to the great 
value of direct personal effort in the salvation of souls. 



SIFTED WHEAT. 209 

You may not be able to take the platform and preach, or 
go as a missionary, or special Christian worker, but you 
can learn to embrace opportunities, by speaking- to the 
unsaved within your reach. A little effort here rightly 
directed and the results will be amazing and make your 
soul glad. If you will do a little work well, God will 
soon give you a larger place. Mr. Moody's great career 
as a soul-winner began in his early years in Chicago, 
when he cherished a fixed purpose and habit to converse 
with at least one soul every day, with the thought in mind 
that that soul should be won for Christ. 



IT LOOKS QUEER. 

"It Looks Queer when a man with a six-inch collar 
criticizes a woman's fashions." 

"It Looks Queer when the preacher gets more inter- 
ested in margins than in manhood." 



BE LOYAL TO THE KING AND THE KINGDOM. 
Job. 13 : 15 ; Dan. 6 : 4-10. 

Love is the precursor of loyalty : "The love of Christ 
constraineth me." 

Our KING is worthly of devout loyalty. He lays 
no distressing hardships upon his subjects. "His yoke is 
easy, and burdens light." 

Loyalty in the little things will help us to be loyal in 

Sifted Wheat— 14 



210 SIFTED WHEAT. 

the greater tests of life. Remember that "he will not 
suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able.' , 

Job was a man that God could trust. Job did not 
betray this confidence. No doubt there are many such 
men and women to-day, but their number ought to be 
multiplied. Young man, young woman, can God trust 
YOU? 

"When Daniel knew that the writing was signed, he 
went into his house. . . .and prayed. . . .as he did afore- 
time" (Dan. 6-10.) This was after Daniel knew he was 
sentenced to die. It did not frighten him in the least, 
nor make him waver in his loyalty to God and the true 
religion. Few Christians ever had such a severe test 
as this, and yet how many "fall down" under the slightest 
provocations. 

The pulpit and the pew of this day need a recon- 
structed moral backbone. The flagrant, open sins that 
are ruining the race need rebuking, and only men of 
moral courage, superinduced by the baptism with the 
Holy Ghost and fire have such stamina. The appalling 
sin of adultery, drunkenness, divorce, worldliness, tobacco 
using, waste of precious time in lodges and clubs, Sab- 
bath desecration, novel reading, Sunday newspapers, etc., 
ought to be continually thundered against from pulpit 
and pew. O, for a lot of God-fearing Daniels in this day. 

The great men of the world bow in humble obeisance 
to our King. Note what some of them say : 

"We believe that the history of the world is but the 
history of his influence." — Maclaren. 

"His character so lives that he inspires millions of 
men with impassioned love." — Reynolds. 



SIFTED WHEAT. 211 

"Time has no power over the name and deeds and 
words of Jesus Christ." — Channing. 

"Holiest among the mighty, and mightiest among the 
holy."— Richter. 

UNSWERVING LOYALTY. 

"If Jesus Christ is a man — 

And only a man — I say 
That of all mankind I cleave to him, 

And to him will I cleave alway. 

"If Jesus Christ is a God — 

And the only God — I swear 
I will follow him through heaven and hell, ' 

The earth, the sea, and the air." 



THE SAFEGUARD OF THE NATION. 
Prov. 14:34. 

It is not in brewing beer, making whiske'y or pro- 
ducing drunkards. Neither is it in Sabbath desecration, 
or political corruption; nor hoarding gold or oppressing 
the poor. The real safeguard of the nation is not our 
coast defense, battle ships or standing army. Neither is 
it in a compromising ministry or a worldly church; nor 
is it wholly in our education or refinement. But the 
words of the Great Book are true, "Righteousness exalteth 
a nation ; but sin is a reproach to any people/' The root 



212 SIFTED WHEAT. ' 

of safety for church and state lies in a holy heart. Christ- 
likeness will heal the breach between capital and labor. 
It will cause men to "beat their swords into pruning 
hooks," it will save the nation from political disruption 
and corruption. It will make men honest in private and 
public. It will save drunkards and drunkard making. It 
will keep the rich from oppressing the poor, and make 
many rich who are poor. It will exalt domestic and 
social life. It will save our young people from worldly 
folly, infidelity and disregard for the teaching of the 
Bible. Christlikeness, real spirituality will save the min- 
istry from "professionalism" salary grabbing, time serv- 
ing, infidelity. A holy ministry will thunder forth the 
truth from Sinai to Calvary, and such preaching will 
quicken the pew into spiritual life and activity. We are 
convinced that the lethargy and spiritual deadness of the 
church everywhere is largely responsible for the open 
violation of law, flagrant sins and the industrial unrest 
apparent. The ministry must awake to this. We must 
stop turning out infidels from our great universities, stop 
tinkering the Bible, stop preaching simply to entertain the 
people. There must be a crying out against sin and a 
united endeavor to lead the people into real righteousness. 
This lies largely at the door of the ministry. He is the 
conserver of the home, church and state. He has a 
tremendous influence both in private and public. He 
helps to mold the consciences of men and women as no 
other man. If he is unfaithful, weak, cowardly, or com- 
promising all suffer. Oh, for a minstry with fire, faith 
and courage who dares to preach the whole truth, even 
though support is cut off and friends forsake. 

Here lies our strength and safety. When the church 



SIFTED WHEAT. 213 

of Christ stands for holy living, faith and prayer, the 

nation is safe. "Awake! awake! put on thy strength, O 
Zion." 



A PREACHER'S LIBRARY. 

It is almost a sure index as to where he stands on the 
doctrine and experience of entire sanctification. He may 
boast of once enjoying the experience and occasionally 
preaching about it, but if we have seen his library and 
found books on almost every other subject except the 
Wesleyan doctrine of holiness, it leads to the conclusion 
that he is not clear in his experience experimentally or 
theoretically. A preacher who enjoys the experience of 
entire sanctification, who testifies to it definitely before his 
people and who is leading others into the experience right 
along, reads safe holiness literature and usually has many 
volumes of the standard works and the latest and best 
publications on the subject. 



A PREACHER'S WIFE. 

. What a spiritual help or hindrance a preacher's wife 
can be to a church society. If she is spiritually minded 
and active in the religious work of the church her influ- 
ence is felt everywhere. Such a wife is also a great en- 
couragement to her husband. But if she is indifferent, 
worldly, proud, with no better experience than the back- 
slidden church members about her, what a hindrance to 



214 SIFTED WHEATo 

her husband and the whole church. This is particularly 
true with reference to the experience of holiness. If the 
preacher's wife is clear in life and testimony, it is not 
long until many others desire such an experience. Un- 
fortunately we have found but few preachers' wives who 
have the experience of holiness. They are either utterly 
indifferent or are opposers of the doctrine. This is a great 
hindrance to the minister himself and to the church he 
serves. Happy is the preacher or any other man who has 
a spiritually minded wife. 



SIMPLY FORM. 

'We were in a young people's meeting recently where 
an average of one hundred young people gathered. But 
there was but little spiritual warmth, and not more than 
one-third gave any evidence of having a religious exper- 
ience. The majority of the young people seemed light 
and frivolous and utterly indifferent to the claim of the 
gospel. The song book used was devoid of music or 
piety. The prayers and speeches (not testimonies) and 
"discussion of the topic" was cut and dried. No enthu- 
siasm, no spiritual warmth, no hearty cheer. Pity, but 
true, it was simply form without vital godliness. We 
presume there are many such societies. What is to be 
done? Find an enthusiastic, spiritual leader if possible. 
Put him or her in to lead the young people's meeting. 
Get all the spiritual members together for a fifteen-minute 
preparatory prayer service just before the regular meet- 
ing. Fire up in this smaller meeting and carry the warmth 
into the larger and it is bound to catch fire. Aim to get 



SIFTED WHEAT. 215 

some one converted. Get the young people to praying 
and thinking about souls. If the paster has any fire or 
enthusiasm, get him to help. But for Jesus' sake do some- 
thing to get out of the dead, cold, formal grave into 
which you have fallen. 



MY PLACE AS A CHRISTIAN CITIZEN. 
Matt. 17 : 24-27 ; i Tim. 2 : 1-2 ; 1 Peter 2:13-17. 

A 'Christian citizen has no mean responsibility, provid- 
ing he chooses to assume such responsibility. His attitude 
must be one untiring and uncompromising hostility to 
all forms of civic unrighteousness. 

Indifference or moral cowardice on the part of many 
socalled Christian citizens at a time when strength is 
needed to overcome the intrigues of Satan and his ad- 
versaries, is the cause of so much corruption in American 
politics. 

A multitude of men who esteem morality, honesty and 
righteousness above political partisanship is the pressing 
need of the hour. A Christian citizen is a citizen who is 
"Christian" on election day especially. "To him that 
knoweth to do good, and doeth it not, (on election day) to 
him it is sin." 

The American "Drunkery" (saloon) could not live 
and thrive if all Christian citizens would do their duty. 
The open and flagrant violations of law, the desecration 
of the Sabbath day, would surely receive a check. 

The facts are, that too many men wear a religious 



216 SIFTED WHEAT. 

frock on Sunday which they hang on a hook on Monday 
morning, and mark it non-usable for business or politics. 
That sort of Christian (?) citizen is a menace rather than 
a help to both church and state. 

We know of nothing better to equip men, especially 
young men, and make them strong, courageous and right 
as Christian citizens, than the blessing of entire sanctifi- 
cation. 

WHAT A CHRISTIAN CITIZEN CAN DO. 

He can pray right and vote as he prays. 

He can make a truthful report of his taxable property. 

He can take his religion into politics without hurting 
the politics. 

And he can make his politics conform to his religion 
without jeopardizing his religion. 

He can be known as an uncompromising foe to the 
American, "Unamerican" drunkard-making establish- 
ment. What a Christian Citizen can do, he ought to do. 



WHAT YOU CAN DO. 

Put down the names of six of your unsaved friends, 
on a card, or page in your memorandum book, and begin 
at once to pray and work for their salvation. 

Write a letter, send a tract, speak a word each day in 
the interest of some soul. Have some tracts near you, or 
in your pocket that you can hand out quickly as oppor- 
tunity is presented. 

Speak a kind word to those who come to your door. 
The butcher, baker, grocer's boy, laundryman, milk man, 



SIFTED WHEAT. 217 

coal-oil man, gas man, book agents and others. A single 
word might help to save a soul. Do it, and begin to-day 
for Jesus' sake. 

STOP ! 

My young friend — 
Stop reading trashy novels. 
Stop cultivating impure thinking. 
Stop engaging in coarse conversation. 
Stop desecrating the Holy Sabbath day. 
Stop keeping company with that young man who smokes 

and who takes a drink occasionally. 
Stop growling at mother, and being fretful and peevish 

round the house. 
Stop that waste of physical energy in nightly revelling 

and dissipation. 
Stop forgetting to say your prayers, read your Bible and 

attendance upon the means of grace. 
Stop! Stop! STOP! 



STRONG MEN AND STRONG WOMEN THE 
NATION'S HOPE. 

Exod. 18: 12; Deut. 16: 18; Eph. 6: 10-18. 

Christianity lies at the foundation of all real moral 
strength. 

The turpitude of the race must be supplanted by the 
righteousness of Christ if the race would be strong. 

A young man or young woman who follows any form 



218 SIFTED WHEAT. 

of sinful practice, is sure to be weaker at some point as 
a result. 

Strength of body, strength of intellect, or strength of 
spiritual life, will be enhanced by having the "life hid 
with Christ in God." "Strengthened with MIGHT by 
his spirit in the inner man." 

How much we need young men and young women 
who dare stand up for the right. Whose influence, speech 
and practice are against the evils of the day. A few such 
persons in any community are a safe-guard and con- 
tinual benediction. 

Education is not all. We would not underestimate 
its value. But the Psalmist declares, "The fear of the 
Lord is the beginning of wisdom." A pure heart coupled 
to a keen intellect makes a strong man. 
k*& "Strong men and strong women are the nation's 
hope." Then we ought to frown on anything that de- 
bases, debauches, or weakens manhood. A great cry 
should go up from the church everywhere against the 
saloon, social evil, gambling, Sabbath desecration, and 
"such like." These all tend to weaken the moral per- 
ceptibility of the race, and especially lead thousands of 
our young people into degeneracy. 

Shall the Saloon exist? No! 

Shall licensed prostitution exist? No! 

Shall the Christian Sabbath be desecrated? No! 

'Shall Christian men wink at these evils ? No ! 



SIFTED WHEAT. '219 

A SERIOUS OMISSION. 

The Bi-Centennial of John Wesley's birth has been 
celebrated by a large number of churches. Many excel- 
lent addresses have been delivered, and the Methodist 
press especially have published much concerning this re- 
markable man. But strange to relate, in all of the sermons 
and addresses reported, or newspaper articles written, 
there is scarcely a reference to the fact that John Wesley 
experienced and constantly preached the doctrine of 
Christian perfection or entire sanctification. That which 
God raised him up to propagate, which God graciously 
blessed, and that really made Wesley what he was, as 
well as laid the foundation for the Methodist church, — 
almost as completely omitted as though it were utterly in- 
congruous to this man's life or the church he founded. 

Why this serious omission by preachers, editors and 
bishops of Methodism ? Are we to understand that these 
men are ignorant of Wesley and his teaching, hardly. Are 
they ashamed to be known as advocating the unpopular 
doctrine of holiness, or have they intentionally omitted to 
remind the people of this great truth which made up the 
warp and woof of Wesley's life ? Does this omission in- 
dicate Methodism's drift from the "main cord that binds 
us together?" We are almost forced to the conclusion 
that it does. We pity the men, whether in humble station 
or ecclesiastical prominence, who forsake the doctrine that 
made the church possible. We also pity the church thus 
forsaken. Mark you, if Methodism refuses, or neglects 
to spread scriptural holiness over these lands, God will 
raise up a people who will do so. Will Methodism re- 
cover is THE question of the hour ? 



220 SIFTED WHEAT. 

VACATION READING. 

Be careful what you select to read during your vaca- 
tion. The books that are usually sold on railroad trains 
are trash, and the "latest popular novel of the season" 
has no spiritual or intellectual nourishment in it. Take 
your Bible and be sure to read that, and then select one 
or more books that will be a source of strength to your 
spiritual life. Poison taken into the mind is as hard to 
get rid of as poison taken into the body. If you would 
think pure thougths read pure books. H. Clay Trumbull's 
"Individual Work for Individuals" will inspire you to 
personal efforts for souls. "With Christ in the 
school of prayer" will stimulate your faith, and 
help you grasp great things in prayer. "Thoughts 
on Holiness," by Mark Guy Pearse, will deepen 
your spiritual life. 'Do not spend your vacation 
time in idleness or you will return home poorer in intellect 
and a marked decline in your spiritual life. 



A STRONG MAN 

Does not drink intoxicants. 

Does not use tobacco. 

Does not dissipate. 

Does not loaf. 

Does not swear. 

Is a Christian gentleman. 

Loves and supports the church. 

Has moral backbone on election day. 

If elected to office will enforce the law, 



SIFTED WHEAT. 221 

BEGIN AT ONCE. 

We mean, begin to do something for Christ. Many 
young Christians seem to be waiting for some great op- 
portunity. The great opportunity will never come unless 
you embrace the smaller. Do the smaller duties, like con- 
fessing Christ publicly, offering public prayer if oppor- 
tunity is presented, or speaking a word personally to some 
unsaved friend. 

J. Hudson Taylor tells of a young Christian, who had 
received Christ as his Saviour, but who said to the mis- 
sionary that he would wait until he learned more about 
him before making a public profession. 

"Well," said Mr. Taylor, "I have a question to ask 
you, When you light a candle, do you light it to make the 
candle more comfortable?" 

"Certainly not," said the other, "but in order that it 
may give more light." 

"When it is half burnt down do you expect that it 
will first become useful?" 

"No, as soon as I light it." 

"Very well," said the missionary, promptly ; "go thou 
and do likewise; begin at once." 



222 SIFTED WHEAT. 

MISSIONARY SUGGESTIONS. 

THE GOSPEL IN THE ISLANDS. 

Isa. 41 : 1. 

These monthly missionary meetings, if carefully pre- 
pared for, ought to make the young people intelligent con- 
cerning the great importance of missionary effort. We 
suggest some points that might be brought out. 

1 — >How many of your young people give systemati- 
cally to missions ? 

2 — Do any of them support a missionary or native 
worker ? 

3 — Could your society not undertake the support of a 
native preacher? 

4 — How much missionary literature is distributed in 
your young people's society ? 

5 — Do you do anything for Home Missions? 

6 — 'Has your society ever packed a barrel or box for 
some nearby Deaconess Home? If not, why not do so at 
once. 

7 — There are many frontier preachers and poor fam- 
ilies in need of clothing, could you not send a barrel out 
West? 

8 — Have you ever helped any of the Salvation Army 
Rescue Homes? 

9 — Has your society a missionary committee? 

There is plenty of work and multiplied opportunities 
both at home and abroad, but not very many who take a 
real interest. Reader, will you not stir yourself in this 
matter and see to it, that something is accomplished at 
once? 



SIFTED WHEAT. 223 

SOME OTHER THINGS WE MIGHT DO. 

We might tithe our income. 

We might dedicate ourselves. 

We might spend less for dress and give more to save 
the world. 

We might stop sending ioo casks of rum, to one mis- 
sionary, abroad. 

We might pray more and pay more. 

We might work at home if we cannot go abroad. 



FASHION. 

How ridiculous and expensive it is. What hideous 
looking creatures it makes out of some people. We saw 
a young girl with a scoop shaped hat set on end that 
stoop up above the top of her head fully a foot. Then 
another with a shell shaped hat that reached nearly a 
foot before her face. In a revival meeting recently where 
the altar was a large brass rail we saw a worker trying to 
instruct some seekers, but could not get within speaking 
distance for the enormous hats that protruded over the 
rail so he put his head down under the rail and 
looked up from beneath. It was a serious, laugh- 
able, ridiculous situation made so by style and fashion. 
We see girls dressed like men and men dressed like girls. 
A young fellow with a new fangled shirt waist arose to 
give his testimony in a camp meeting, the leader who was 
somewhat defective in his eyesight said, "The Lord bless 
you, sister." Unless the Lord shall come soon, we hardly 



224: SIFTED WHEAT. 

know what we shall come to in style and fashion. Holi- 
ness gives common sense in life and dress. It makes 
beautiful inside as well as regulates the outside. 

ONE SHOT AT A TIME. 

Personal work is unquestionably one of the best meth- 
ods in recruit winning, and if any one wishes scriptural 
examples before he proceeds in this sort of work, they are 
not lacking. Andrew brought his brother Simon ; Christ 
talked alone with Nicodemus and the woman of Samaria ; 
Philip talked alone with the Ethiopian eunuch; and Paul 
reasoned with Felix of "righteousness, temperance, and 
judgment," till the great man trembled. The advantage 
of personal work cannot be better illustrated than in the 
following way: A hunter complained that his shot scat- 
tered too much. One day while reading a paper, he came 
across the words, "A recipe to prevent the scattering of 
shot ; price, 50c." He sent for it. In due time it arrived, 
and read as follows : "If your shot scatters too much put 
in one shot at a time." Personal work is putting in one 
shot a time. 

DO IT. 

Ecc. 9 : 3. 

Peter Cooper, who founded the Cooper Institute in 
New York City, had a hard struggle. As a boy, his health 
was the frailest. He went to school but one year of his 
life, and during that year he could go only every other 
day. But when he was eight years old, he was earning 



SIFTED WHEAT. 225 

his living by pulling hair from the skins of the rabbits his 
father shot to make hat pulp. 

He had not "half a chance." It seemed almost liter- 
ally that he had no chance at all. He went to New York 
when he was seventeen years old. He walked the streets 
for days before he got a place, and then apprenticed him- 
self to a carriage-maker for five years for his board and 
$2.00 a month. 

He had neither time nor money for what people called 
pleasures, but he had the pleasure of hope. While he 
was working for 50 cents a week, he said to himself, "If 
I ever get rich, I will build a place where the poor boys 
and girls of New York may have an education free," and 
he did it. 

William Hunt, the painter, used to say: "Don't talk 
of what you want to do — do it !" 

"Faith, mighty faith, the promise sees, 

And looks to that alone, 
Laughs at impossibilities, 

And cries, 'It shall be done!' " 

SUMMER TEMPTATION. 

The enemy of souls is especially insidious in the sum- 
mer time. Apparently innocent recreations become the 
means of spiritual leanness. Legitimate out-door games, 
hunting, fishing and excursions, can be used within proper 
limits to build up worn-out physical nature, but watch- 
fulness is necessary that these pleasures do not lead to 
infatuation, carelessness in manner or speech, a question- 

Sifted Wheat— 15 



226 SIFTED WHEAT. 

able choice of social companions, a neglect of daily com- 
munion with God, Bible reading and a personal interest in 
souls. Many young people backslide during the summer 
months simply because they permit the evil one to switch 
them off the main line of Christian integrity and watch- 
fulness, and almost before they know it, they are on the 
side track of indifference and worldliness. This can be 
avoided by adhering to the words of Jesus, "Watch and 
pray that ye enter not into temptation." 

It looks queer when a man takes to his couch at the 
time of the revival and gets around on crutches to the 
races. 



REMEMBER JESUS CHRIST. 
2 Tim. 2 : 8. R. V. 

The essential thing in remembering Jesus Christ is 
to make sure you get acquainted with him. There are 
certain "forms," "ceremonies," "raising hands," "bap- 
tism," "church joining," that are practiced and urged 
upon the people by some pastors and evangelists, that 
leave the soul utterly barren without any affectionate rela- 
tionship with Jesus Christ. Regeneration is a changed re- 
lationship, a new heart from God, which "ties" the soul 
to Jesus Christ and only transgression will break the tie. 
The language of the soul then is, "Thou knowest that I 
love thee." When such an epoch occurs in the life of an 
individual it will not be very difficult to remember the 
Saviour of men. 

The young Christian will gain much in spiritual 
strength by secret devotions. Here the heart secrets can 
be poured into the ear of the Burden Bearer, who will 



SIFTED WHEAT. 22? 

whisper back his sweet messages of strength and surety. 
A very precious, effective and vital relationship is thus 
established between "two loving hearts," YOURS and 
HIS. Young Christians, or older for that matter, lose 
spiritual ground by not spending much time in secret 
communion with God. The friends you remember best 
are those with whom we are most intimately acquainted ; 
a casual aquaintance you soon forget. If you would re- 
member the love of Christ, the tender mercies He has be- 
stowed upon you, get intimately acquainted with him. 

"Then opened he their understanding, that they might 
understand the Scriptures." The young Christian will 
develop much strength by a study of the spiritual side of 
the Scriptures. The richer truths of the Bible lie far 
beneath the surface. They are like the precious gems of 
earth. They can only be had by "digging." This is a 
wholesome process as it develops spiritual muscle, and 
also enhances the value of the "gems" when they are dis- 
covered. There is considerable Bible "skimming" but not 
enough real Bible study for soul enlargement. If you 
would remember Jesus Christ, study his words, know his 
language, store up his precepts in your heart. 

WHAT TO REMEMBER. 

Remember Christ died to save YOU. 

Remember that sin and sinning will send YOU to hell. 

Remember to PRAY in secret. 

Remember to STUDY the Bible. 

Remember YOUR personal obligation to lost souls. 

Remember to abstain from all appearance of evil. 



228 SIFTED WHEAT. 

BE STRONG. 

Rev. Maltbie D. Babcock has written some beautiful 
poetry. The following forceful lines should be heeded 
by the young people in this day of so much weakness and 
compromise on the part of many : 

Be strong ! 
We are not here to play, to dream, to drift. 
We have hard work to do, and loads to lift. 
Shun not the struggle ; face it. 'Tis God's gift. 

Be strong! 
Say not the days are evil — Who's to blame? 
And fold the hands and acquiesce — Oh, shame ! 
Stand up, speak out, and bravely, in God's name. 

Be strong! 
It matters not how deep intrenched the wrong, 
How hard the battle goes, the day, how long, 
Faint not, fight on ! Tomorrow comes the song ! 

SOME NEEDS OF THE HOUR. 

We need a profounder sense of the sinfulness of sin 
in the churches. 

We need to alarm the people who are lukewarm and 
half hearted of their awful danger. 

We need a lot of preachers who will thunder out the 
terrors of an awful judgment and a burning hell for the 
wicked. 

We need to warn the people who in their mad scram- 



SIFTED WHEAT. 229 

ble for wealth have forgotten God, and are on their way 
to the pit. 

We need four million church members who will vote 
against the liquor traffic, thus protecting 120,000 boys and 
60,000 girls from an awful hell each year. 

We need ten thousand preachers in every denomina- 
tion to preach Jesus Christ a Saviour from ALL sin, here 
and now, and who believe that Christ has more power 
than Satan. 

STIR UP THE GIFT OF GOD WHICH IS IN 

THEE. 

2 Tim. 1 : 6-8. 

"Stir up" means fire up, enkindle. The great need of 
many Christians is spiritual fire. 

One way of spelling fear is "C-o-w-a-r-d." Cowar- 
dice is weakness, weakness is loss of strength, and loss of 
strength means lifelessness. A cowardly, weakly, lifeless 
Christian, think of it. 

Fear is not a product of grace, but is a device of Satan 
arising from the carnal mind. It blights faith, hinders 
prayer, and prevents usefulness. The heart must be free 
from this disturbing element if you would be at your best 
for God. 

Thank God ! there is a remedy. " Perfect, love casteth 
out fear." It is the only cure known, but it works every 
time. It is the result of being baptized with the Holy 
Ghost and fire as they were on the day of pentecost. 

"Power and love and a sound mind" follow in its 
trend. 



230 SIFTED WHEAT. 

"Power" — The promised enduement. 

"Love" — God occupying the entire arena of the soul. 

"A Sound Mind" — Sober-mindedness,, acuteness, con- 
cerning spiritual things. 

Perfect love intensifies the sensibilities. Makes one 
quicker to embrace opportunities to do good, and enlarges 
the understanding to know the word of God. 

In plain terms, Paul was very anxious that Timothy 
have a revival in his own heart. This is greatly needed 
throughout the land today, a personal revival of pure -and 
and undefiled religion. My young friend, drop on your 
knees and pray until fire from heaven strikes your heart. 

LET IT ALONE. 

Keep off the enemies' territory if you would be safe, 
my young Christian friend. Perhaps you may think you 
are strong enough to resist the tempter and come away in 
safety, but many have over-estimated their strength, and 
have fallen into sin, when they least expected it. They 
tampered with temptation and it overcame them. Some 
rats assembled in a large cellar, to devise some method of 
safely getting the bait from a steel trap which lay near, 
having seen numbers of their friends and relatives 
snatched from them by its merciless jaws. After many 
long speeches and the proposal of many elaborate but 
fruitless plans, a happy wit, standing erect, said : 

"It is my opinion that, if with one paw we can keep 
down the spring, we can safely take the food from the 
trap with the other." 

All the rats present loudly squealed assent. Then they 



SIFTED WHEAT. 231 

were startled by a faint voice, and a poor rat, with only 
three legs, limping into the ring, stood up to speak. 

My friends, I have tried the method you propose, and 
you see the result. Now let me suggest a plan to escape 
the trap. Let it alone." 

If there is a single question as to the danger of your 

SOUl, LET IT ALONE. 

KEEP ON WORKING. 

"There is no difficulty," said a man of experience the 
other day, "in finding plenty of members in every church 
who will talk about work, suggest work, and even start 
work; but there is a plentiful lack of people who just 
work, and keep on working." The need of every church 
today is young people in its membership Who will "just 
work and keep on working." Are we helping to fill that 
need, or do we belong to the talkers, starters, suggesters 
— and shirkers? 



BE CAREFUL. 

To begin the day with prayer. 

To ask God to help in the little things of life. 

To pray concerning your business transactions. 

To embrace the opportunities to speak for Christ. 

To make your word as good as your bond. 

To be courteous to strangers. 

To glorify God in all that you do. 



232 SIFTED WHEAT. 

ENDURE HARDNESS AS A GOOD SOLDIER. 
2 Tim. 2 : 3-4. 

A good soldier ought to be fully equipped spiritually. 
That is, he should have on the "whole armor," or enjoy 
the baptism with the Holy Ghost and fire. This ex- 
perience saves him from worldly entanglement, self-seek- 
ing and a carnal mind, which is the root of spiritual dis- 
order. A good soldier, spiritually speaking, must be a 
healthy man. If sin is in his heart he is unhealthy and 
must spend some time "doctoring" himself when he might 
be free to help doctor other people. The fight must be 
against the enemy not with himself. Then, too, there is 
quite a difference fighting an enemy on the outside and 
continually fighting one on the inside. 

Get rid of the "inside" enemy, namely inbred sin, and 
then you can do much better fighting against those that 
are without. Trust the blood of Christ to cleanse you 
from all inward defilement. 

A good soldier does not entangle himself with the af- 
fairs of this life. 

A good soldier knows how to handle the "Sword of 
the Spirit." 

A good soldier is not looking for an easy place, but 
is willing to "fight" where difficulties seem insurmount- 
able and circumstances unfavorable. 

A good soldier is prompt to obey. 

A good soldier never turns his back on the enemy. 

A good soldier is courageous, never cowardly. 

A good soldier follows the flag of the cross, even to 
where "satan's seat" is. 



SIFTED WHEAT. 233 

A good soldier must remember that the Captain of 
the Lord's hosts is sure to give victory. 

Then be a good soldier of Jesus Christ and endure 
hardness if need be. 

"Who is the happy warrior? Who is he 
That every man in arms should wish to be ? 



Tis he 
Whose powers shed round him in the common strife, 
Or mild concerns of ordinary life, 
A constant influence, a peculiar grace; 
But who, if he be called upon to face 
Some awful moment to which Heaven has joined 
Great issues, good or bad for humankind, 
Is happy as a lover." 



BEAUTIFUL IN THIS LIFE. 

"See her face shine." We look, the face is not natur- 
ally pretty, but somehow there is a radiance, a transform- 
ing beauty, an unnatural shine, that makes those who see 
her say, "how lovely." What has happened ? Christ has 
come into the heart. Dark clouds have passed away, sin 
has been forgiven and cleansed, the heart life is now 
aglow with the glory from another world. Of course, she 
is beautiful inside and out. Transformed into the Divine 



234 SIFTED WHEAT. 

likeness, henceforth to walk with Jesus, living "Godly in 
this present world." Beautiful in the sight of heaven, 
beautiful to those of earth. If you would be real hand- 
some, enthrone Christ in your life. 



LITTLE SINS. 

Young people are not so much in danger from great 
sins as from little sins. It is the little things that often 
grow great. The rivulets cut a way for the mountain 
cataract, and lo ! a flood. The snowflakes get frozen into 
avalanches, and lo ! destruction. Beware of little sins ! — 
they are only the "early callers." At Sierra Leone a 
little white ant crawls to a door. But the master prevents 
not the ant, and it enters the house, and soon other ants 
follow — a colony of ants. They eat their way into chairs 
and couches and tables, secretly and silently. And one 
day there is ruin in that house — the furniture falls to 
pieces, and the doors and windows are honeycombed ; the 
heart has been eaten out of everything, all because the 
careless dweller let one little ant into his house. We say, 
"Only a little sin." Yes, but a host of sins will soon fol- 
low, to eat out our moral life and leave naught but ruin. 
If we are wise we shall be on the watch for the "little 
sins" that crouch at the door. 



SIFTED WHEAT. 235 

MAKING OUR LIVES COUNT. 
2 Tim. 3 : 10-15 ; 2 Cor. 11 : 23-28. 

Failure is written on every man's life who continues 
in sin. There may be apparent success, from a worldly 
or secular point of view, but how utter the failure to 
die without Christ. 

Paul's faith and courage continued until the end. He 
braved the storms of opposition. He stood true amidst 
slander and ignominy ; he had a right to counsel his young 
friend Timothy. He knew from bitter experience what 
Timothy might expect. "But out of them all God has 
delivered," is his cheering note of victory. The God of 
Paul and Timothy still lives, my young friend, and will 
also protect and deliver you. 

If you think your afflictions are particularly severe, 
read carefully 2 Cor. 1 1 : 23-28 and then compare your 
case with Paul's. Most of us are having a very easy 
time. We ought to thank God and take courage. Per- 
haps if we should be more outspoken against wickedness, 
God would see to it that our lives counted for more. The 
pathway might be rougher, but the victories more signal. 
No compromise with sin anywhere should be our slogan. 
Do you say Amen! 

QUESTIONS. 

Have you any of Paul's faith and courage? 
Do you mean to go through with God at any cost ? 
Does your life count for God in the home? 
Is your influence Christly among your social friends ? 
What about your business relations? Do they count 
for God? 



236 SIFTED WHEAT. 

CHARACTER DEVELOPED BY LITTLE DEEDS. 

Young people should be careful to do the little things 
well. 'God will not give a larger task unless you are 
faithful in the smaller duties. It is said that it takes a 
great quantity of fresh cut flowers to supply a great city 
like London. There is one firm in the Covent Garden 
Market which sells sometimes as high at $150,000 worth 
of cut flowers a week. One of the interesting features 
of the supply of flowers for this great human center is 
that they come largely from abroad, and from small 
growers. Baskets of flowers leave the south of France 
in the evening, and are ready for all the early morning 
markets of England two days afterward. These flowers 
are grown largely by industrious French cottagers, each 
sending a few baskets from their little well worked gar- 
den plat. Human life is like that in many ways. It is 
the little things that make up the beauty and fragrance 
of a character. Christian manhood and womanhood 
grow by little restraints, little self-denials, deeds that 
seem insignificant, taken alone; but the aggregation is a 
character and a life fragrant with the whole variety of 
Christian graces. 



BLASPHEMY. 

The habit of blasphemy is frightfully prevalent among 
American youth. Have you stopped to think, my friend, 
that God places the same penalty on swearing or pro- 
faning his name, that he does on adultery or murder ? 
Well, he does. 



SIFTED WHEAT. 237 

"Are you paid anything for swearing?" Eli Perkins 
once asked a commercial traveler. 

"No, I do it for nothing." 

"Well," said the lecturer, "you work cheap. You 
lay aside your character as a gentleman, inflict pain on 
your friends, break a commandment, and lose your own 
soul — and for nothing! You do certainly work cheap, 
very cheap!" 

A DISASTROUS ENDING.) 

In all the history of infidelity, unbelief and skepticism 
there is not a single instance of a triumphant death. As 
one illustration of this statement, note the following 
from history: "On the 15th of February, 1758, Voltaire 
penned the following blasphemy : — 'Twenty years more 
and God will be in pretty plight.' And in twenty years 
from that date Voltaire was on his death-foed. His in- 
fidel companions finding him disposed to recant, refused 
to let any minister of religion visit him. Voltaire in 
consequence became infuriated, and cursed the D'Alem- 
berts and the Diderots. 'Begone!' he said. Tt is you 
that have brought me to my present miserable condition ! 
And what a wretched glory you have procured me !' 
With alternate prayer and blasphemy, saying, 'O, Christ/ 
and then 'I am abandoned of God and man,' he died on 
the 30th of May, 1778. Monsieur Tronchin, the phy- 
sician who attented him, declared that 'to witness all the 
furies of Orestes, one had only to be present at the death 
of Voltaire. Such a spectacle,' he adds, 'would benefit 
the young who are in danger of losing the precious helps 
of religion.' The Marshall De Richelieu was so terrified 



238 SIFTED WHEAT. 

at what he saw that he left the bedside of Voltaire, de- 
claring the sight was too horrifying for endurance." 

Millions have died in the triumphs of Christanity 
and like the immortal Alfred Cookman went "sweeping 
through the gates, washed in the blood of the Lamb." 



THE CALL OF MOSES. 
Exod. 3: 1- 1 2. 

Without question God had been preparing Moses for 
many years for just such a conversation and commission 
as he received at the burning bush. God did not act to- 
ward Moses in any obscure way. He said, "I am the 
God of thy father." This was to give Moses confidence. 
When God tells any of us to do a thing we ought to go 
ahead knowing that God will not order us to do any un- 
reasonable or impossible thing. More, that if he tells us 
to do it, he will see that we get through, Amen ! In fact 
no call of God ever lacked the promise of help. Run 
down the list, Abraham, Moses, Joshua, Gideon, Samuel, 
Nehemiah, Isaiah, Jeremiah, Ezekiel, yes, all the prophets 
and apostles. "Certainly I will be with thee," is the 
divine promise. 

God selected a very crude way and a very lonely spot 
to converse with Moses, but when God touches any place 
it becomes holy ground. God may call one from the 
"backside of the desert" or the temple, or the plow, count- 
ing room, school or home. Remember when he calls he 
has a most important mission and ready obedience will 



SIFTED WHEAT. 239 

bring added blessing and complete victory. Moses felt 
his insufficiency. He was not wise enough, brave enough, 
eloquent enough, strong enough. We presume every 
man feels about the same way when God calls to some 
peculiar undertaking. Self-importance is not a grace of 
the Spirit, but humility is. But when God calls he pre- 
pares the way and empowers the one he calls. These two 
go together. Sometimes God keeps us in school a long 
time before he calls. Such preparation is far from "time 
thrown away." He knows when we are fitted for the 
work. We cannot each be a Moses, but we can be obedient 
and do the work near at hand, and do that well. God's 
little jobs are usually fraught with mighty consequences. 
If you do the little well, God will see to it that you have 
a larger place. 



THE "GO." 

Is there a "go" in your soul that prompts you to seek 
out and work for the salvation of those around you. If 
you have been soundly converted, God surely put such 
a "go" in your soul. God does not mean for such a de- 
sire to diminish, but to increase. If it has vanished from 
vour Christian experience, you should become alarmed. 
You are probably already in a lukewarm or backslidden 
state. Pray that God may put this "go" in your soul, 
and then you "go" and work for the salvation of precious 
souls and God will intensify this desire into a white heat. 
Real Christianity has both fire and "go" in it. Seek the 
fire of pentecost and you will surely get the "go." 



240 SIFTED WHEAT. 

THE CALL OF ISAIAH. 
Isa. 6: 1-8. 

Isaiah, a prophet and preacher of righteousness, got a 
glimpse of God's holiness and immediately saw his own 
uncleanness and cried aloud, "Woe is me ! for I am un- 
done ; because I am a man of unclean lips." To say that 
Isaiah did not enjoy initial grace or saving grace at this 
time would be to conclude that here was a prophet of 
God prophesying and preaching with a sinful heart. 
This is not reasonable, nor scriptural. When God's "live 
coal" touched him he was cleansed from his remaining 
defilement, and his heart spontaneously responded, "Here 
am I, send me." Cleansing is a pre-requisite to prompt 
obedience and a cheerful willingness to do the will of 
the Lord. 

God's call is to holiness. Could he get the church in 
general to respond to his call he would send scores to help 
save a lost world. God's command is, "Be ye holy, for 
I am holy." We run a very dangerous risk to disobey 
God's command. 

If you would see sin in your heart, draw nigh to God. 

If you would have all sin forgiven and cleansed, God 
is the only one to do it 

God will use every person he can get. My friend can 
God have you? 

A sinner is very uncomfortable under a sense of God's 
presence. 

Have you heard God's call? 

Have you been obedient to the heavenly vision? 



SIFTED WHEAT. 241 

WHY A CHURCH ENTERTAINMENT IS 
WRONG. 

Because there is no authority for it in the Bible. 

Because it kills spirituality and stifles worship. 

Because it can not be prayed for in the public service 
without making religion ridiculous. 

Because it never points any one to the cross of Christ. 

Because it robs the Church of unity and harmony. 

Because it leads people to think lightly of the prom- 
ises of God in regard to the blessedness of giving. 

Because it weakens the influence for spiritual good 
of those who engage in it. 

Because it kills the revival spirit in every Church 
that upholds it. 

Because it leads an army of young people into captivity 
to the world and its follies. 

Because it robs religion of its good name, and makes 
the Church a beggar. 

Because it perverts the truth, by teaching that there 
is a better way to raise money than God's way, viz., giv- 
ing. 

Because it is offering to God that which has upon 
it the image and superscription of Caesar. 

Because it comes into the Church services, and kills 
the spirit of worship with its announcements, and beg- 
ging appeals for patronage. 

Because it disregards the admonition of Christ to take 
no step where the entire influence shall not be upon the 
side of God. 

Because it leads ungodly people to believe that they 
can buy the favor of God with money. 

Sifted Wheat— 16 



242 SIFTED WHEAT. 

FAILURE AND SUCCESS. 

One of the wisest poems ever written upon failure 
and success is this brief one by R. W. Gilder, editor of 
The Century Magazine : 

"He fails who climbs to power and place 

JJp the pathway of disgrace. 

He fails not who makes truth his cause, 

Nor bends to win the crowd's applause. 

He fails not — he who stakes his all 

Upon the right, and dares to fall. 

What though the living bless or blame, 

For him the long success of fame." 

A SWARM OF BEES. 

Be Converted. Acts 3 : 19. 
Be Renewed. Eph. 4 : 23. 
Be Obedient. Eph. 4 : 23. 
Be Content. Heb. 13 : 5. 
Be Sober. 1 Pet. 1 : 14. 
Be Thankful. Col. 3: 15. 
Be Gentle. 2 Tim. 2: 24. 
Be Courteous. 1 Pet. 3 : 8. 
Be Wise. 1 Cor. 3 : 8. 
Be Faithful. Rev. 2 : 10. 
Be Vigilant. 1 Pet. 5 : 8. 
Be Ready. 1 Pet. 3:15. 
Be Glad. 1 Pet. 4: 13. 
Be Good. 2 Cor. 5 : 10. 
Be Holy. 1 Pet. 1 : 16. 
Be Perfect. 2 Cor. 13: 11. 
Be Christ's. Gal. 3 : 29. 



SIFTED WHEAT. 243 

THE CALL OF JEREMIAH. 

Jer. 1:4-10. 

When God has a hard place, he calls and prepares 
someone to fill it. 

Remember that God is not going to run out of men. 
We mean men whose courage is indomitable, whose faith 
is unwavering. There are always a few such men for 
God to use. 

Jeremiah was God's man. God knew him from the 
beginning. Jeremiah was in God's plan, such a man was 
needed and God provided and educated him, and in the 
fulness of time called him to take up his work. 

How we need a host of Jeremiahs to-day with clean 
hearts, knowing the Word of God, preaching a full gos- 
pel, mighty in prayer, persistent in endeavor for the sal- 
vation of the ungodly. Afraid of nothing but sin. May 
God raise up an army of preachers like this. Amen ! 

God has little things to do as well as great ones, and 
your reward will be based on faithfulness, not on promi- 
nence. Do the little things well that God calls you to 
do and then God can trust you with a larger undertaking. 

1. God never calls to failure. 

2. God can use weakness as well as strength. 

3. God expects you to be his representative here and 
now. 

4. There is a human as well as a divine attestation 
when one is called of God. God calls and some man 
confirms. 

5. Listen to God first, then listen to man. 



244 SIFTED WHEAT. 

INCREASED USEFULNESS. 

The late Rev. Hugh Price Hughes was one of the 
greatest preachers of British Wesleyan Methodism. It 
would be well for the young people and especially the 
younger preachers who read this page to scrutinize care- 
fully the following concerning his life : 



"An important event in the life of Mr. Hughes was 
the convention for the promotion of scriptural holiness 
held in Brighton in June, 1875. Ministers from all parts 
of Great Britain and Europe were present ; services were 
held in English, German, French and Italian in a num- 
ber of different places, beginning at 7 o'clock in the 
morning and continuing until half-past nine at night. 
This convention marked the beginning of Mr. Hughes' 
life of absolute surrender to Jesus Christ, and the new 
experience into which he then entered was the secret 
of much of his power in later years. In 1875 Mr. Hughes 
removed to London. The next year he was appointed 
home missionary deputation to Cornwall. When he 
reached Truro he was informed that no steps had been 
taken to carry out the watchword of the president of the 
conference, "A revival in every circuit," and that there 
was no intention to. After he had been preaching about 
twenty minutes Mr. Hughes became conscious that the 
Spirit of God was upon the congregation in an extra- 
ordinary manner. He stopped in the middle of his ser- 
mon, took the collection and began to preach again. In 
a few minutes he invited those who were seeking Christ 



SIFTED WHEAT. 245 

to come to the altar rail. Many did so and thus was 
begun a most remarkable revival in that church. It 
spread through the whole of Cornwall and gave Mr. 
Hughes a wide reputation as an evangelist." 

SLIGHTS. 

Do not be looking for them, for if you do they will 
be easy to find. And very often that which was not so 
intended will be mistaken for a slight. Then you will 
have trouble and worry and your soul will be kept in a 
state of turmoil. Suppose some folks do slight you. 
They ought to, if you are a holy man or woman. You 
are not traveling their way and you can well afford to 
part company. Look up to Jesus and keep your eye off 
of people, if you would enjoy a delightful, even, easy 
Christian experience. 

THE INWARD STRUGGLE. 

Rom. 7:21 ; Gal. 5: 17. 

Racine, for the benefit of Louis XIV, described in 
verse the struggle of the flesh against the Spirit, as 
follows : 

"My God, what cruel strife 

I find two men in me. 

One wills that, full of love, to Thee 

■My heart should always faithful be; 

The other keeps me rebel still 

In dire revolt against Thy will. 



246 SIFTED WHEAT. 

"One, all soul celestial, 
Wills holy service pleasures, 
Seeking only heavenly treasures. 
All things else as nothing measures; 
The other, with sin's fatal weight 
Holds me thus in rebel state. 

"Alas ! in war against myself, 
The good I would, I cannot do; 
The sin I would not, I pursue ; 
Extreme my misery and true. 
The ill I do, the good I leave undone 
The ill I hate and fain would shun." 

c 

Thank God there is deliverance from this "double 
mind," this inward struggle. The grace of entire sanc- 
tification will cast out the "old man" of sin and leave the 
heart free from strife and self. 



KNOW AND OBEY THE WORD OF GOD. 
Matt. 19: 17; James 1 : 22-25; P sa - I1 9'- 9-1& 

It is necessary to do four things with the Bible in 
order to be a complete Christian. First, to admit the 
truth of it; second, to submit to its teachings; third, to 
commit it to memory, and fourth, to transmit it to 
others. 

There are some people who try to deny that the 
Bible is true, others admit its truth and do not submit 
to its teachings; while still others apparently accept its 



SIFTED WHEAT. 247 

teachings, but fail to commit it to memory or tell it to 
others. 

The Bible is peculiar in that it is GOD'S GREAT 
BOOK. It means exactly what it says and says exactly 
what it means. We aver, that there are no contradic- 
tions in the Word of God. Its great central theme is the 
salvation of the race from ALL sin. Its great central 
figure is JESUS CHRIST the Redeemer who made sal- 
vation possible, and was "manifested to DESTROY the 
works of the devil." 

To neglect, reject or doubt the Bible in any particular 
is 'but an entering wedge to spiritual apathy. The "Bible 
tinkers" of this or any other age have been men whose 
hearts were cold and whose soul saving powers were 
limited. 

To obey the Bible, will lead to a perfect salvation, 
make possible a victorious faith, surmount the difficulties 
of life and gain an "inheritance incorruptible, and unde- 
nted and that fadeth not away, reserved in heaven for 
you." 

Watson says, "The Bible is a rock of diamonds ; a chain 
of pearls ; the sword of the Spirit, a chart by which the 
Christian sails to eternity, the map by which he daily 
walks ; the sun dial by which he sets his life ; the balance 
by which he weighs his actions." 



248 SIFTED WHEAT. 

PUT FIRST THINGS FIRST. 

Matt. 6: 24-34. 

Happy is the person who carefully seeks the divine 
order. God knows what is best, and he who seeks God's 
way will find favor with him. Such an one will not 
be long in finding the way of salvation. That which seems 
to be last with so many ought to be first, namely, the sal- 
vation of the soul. All other things are trifles compared 
with the saving of your soul. Make sure that God, for 
Christ's sake, forgives your sins and 

"Writes his new name upon your heart, 
His new, best name of love." 

This question positively settled, and your changed re- 
lationship toward God will lead you to hunger and thirst 
after righteousness. And thus, very soon after your con- 
version, you may know the delights of a pure heart, 
which God's Word declares is "blessed." Here, 
then, is the divine order: First, a clear conversion; 
second, a pure heart. Then you are ready for service 
and spiritual development. 

The "first and great commandment is to love God 
with all your heart, soul and mind, and your neighbor as 
yourself." Anything less than this would evidently be 
a violation of this imperative command from the lips of 
Jesus himself ('Matt. 22: 37-38). It is quite clear that 
no one can do this with any sin in the life. For sin is 
both destructive and obstructive to love. We MUST 
get rid of sin; there must be nothing in the heart but 
pure love, if the command of Christ is to be met. Thank 
God, the provision has been made, "And the Lord thy 



SIFTED WHEAT. 249 

God will circumcise thine heart to love the Lord 

thy God with all thine heart" (Deut. 30: 6). This act 
of circumcision is what transpires when God wholly sanc- 
tifies a soul. 

What does it mean to be sanctified wholly? 

A pure heart. 

An undivided heart. 

A fixed heart. 

A "filled" heart. 

A heart of love. 

Such an heart is loyal, consistent, charitable and en- 
thusiastic. God's first business will be vour first busi- 
ness. Thus, in sweetest harmony, the individual and God 
go together. Is there anything better than this ? No, not 
this side of heaven, except more of the same kind. 

SPEAR POINTS. 

Have a Bible of your own and read it daily. 

Commit the word of God accurately to memory. 
There are very few persons who can quote the scriptures 
correctly. 

The Psalmist says, "Thy word have I hid in mine 
heart, that I might not sin against thee." 

The Bible is God's "BIG LETTER" telling you and 
me how to get to heaven. To neglect to read this letter 
will very greatly imperil the soul. 

Who should read the word? "The young, to know 
how to live ; the old, to know how to die ; the ignorant, for 
wisdom ; the learned, for humility ; the rich, for warning ; 
the poor, for enrichment." It is the only book in the 
world for all sorts and conditions of men, 



250 SIFTED WHEAT. 

KEEN AND KUTE HEARD AT CAMP 
MEETINGS. 

An enthusiastic brother said, 'that he was living TN 
CAAN-YAN' and that the Lord had filled him with 'DY- 
MO-NITE.' " 

A brother said, "I 'swum right through the difficulty." 

A minister was seeking the blessing of sanctifieation. 
An earnest brother prayed, "O Lord, save this preacher 
from his 'parsh-o-niers.' " 

A young theological student said he was quite defi- 
cient in his "vocalbullery." 

There is a difference between "the fulness of God" 
and "all of God's fulness." 

Human love lays down its life for friends, divine love 
for enemies. 

What the devil cannot "counteract" he will "counter- 
feit." 

Bro. Elder says "The tobacco users have the disease 
of LUMPY JAW." 



THE LAW OF THE HARVEST. 

John 12: 23-26. 

No man can explain the law of increase. How a 
grain of wheat is decomposed and out of this decomposi- 
tion there comes life and a multiplied number of grains, 
is the mystery of creation. But we know that this very 
thing happens although we are unable to explain the phil- 
osophy of it. Christ is evidently comparing himself to 



SIFTED WHEAT. 251 

a grain of wheat. He was to die, go into the grave, 
be resurrected, and ascend to the right hand of the 
Father. And through this mysterious proceeding he was 
to bring eternal life to the millions of the earth. We 
can explain this no more than we can explain the decay 
and increase of the grain of wheat. But we know it is 
true, for some of us have tasted of salvation and eternal 
life made possible by the death of Jesus, (Read Romans 
5: 14-21). "Great is the mystery of Godliness." We 
cannot explain how a poor, suffering, debased, sin-cursed 
human being can come to God and in the twinkling of an 
eye have his appetites and whole nature changed from 
that which is low, filthy and devilish to that which is good 
and pure. But we know it is true, for millions have 
been so wrought upon. Neither do we know how the 
"old man" of sin is crucified nor how that through con- 
secration and faith the soul is sanctified. But we know it is 
true, for multitudes have the experience. The experi- 
ence itself is worth a great deal more than to compre- 
hend the philosophy of the transaction. Foolish is the 
man who rejects the experience simply because he cannot 
explain or understand how he gets it. Such an one ought 
to reject food that gives life and strength. He cannot 
explain the law of assimilation. He cannot explain how 
we take food into our bodies and it becomes blood, nerves, 
sinews, bones, etc. But we know it is true, and that 
God has so arranged it, and that ought to satisfy us. 
So, there are many things about the great plan of salva- 
tion that we cannot comprehend, but God made the plan 
and he proposes to redeem the world this way. We 
know "it works," and say Amen to God's plan. 



252 SIFTED WHEAT. 

RAYS OF LIGHT. 

God has a way of using very small things to a large 
purpose. There are some large trees that spring from a 
very small seed. Let God use you even if you are 
SMALL. 

We need more first class funerals, where men and 
women die to sin, self and the world. It ought to be a 
pleasure to be willing to die if in so doing you enter 
the gateway to increased spiritual life and usefulness. 
AND YOU WILL. 

Jesus said, "If any man will come after me, let him 
deny himself." The average church member knows little 
of real self-denial. What with clubs, lodges, money- 
making, theatre-going, tobacco-using, and only a meager 
part of time and money given to God, it would seem with 
many to be self-gratification rather than self-denial. "For 
whosoever will save his life shall lose it. For what is 
a man profited if he gain the whole world and lose his 
own soul." According to this, self-denial means heaven, 
and the "favoring yourself" means hell. Which way are 
YOU going? 



HABIT. 



How quickly a habit will fasten itself upon the life. 
A gentleman suffering with a physical ailment was ad- 
vised by his physician to take very small doses of mor- 
phine at certain intervals. He did so and was relieved, 
but finally went to an Eastern sanitarium for further 
treatment. The examining physician asked him if he 



SIFTED WHEAT. 253 

had been using whiskey or tobacco. He answered "no." 
"Have you not been using some stimulant or narcotic," 
asked the doctor. The patient said, "Only what was pre- 
scribed by my physician," and then referred to the mor- 
phine. He was advised to stop its use and cheerfully 
consented, saying, "that will be easy," for he had only 
been taking it for about six weeks. "But in the next few 
days," he says, "I suffered the torments of the damned, 
and it was only by the exertion of a powerful will and 
a determination to die rather than not conquer that I 
finally got the mastery." We found one young woman 
who had used morphine five years and was able to take 
1 60 grains in a single day. And she declared that she 
knew other women who could take 200 grains in a single 
day. So habit quickly fastens itself and increases. What 
great danger to the boy or girl thinking impure thoughts, 
or reading novels or questionable literature, or the young 
man smoking cigarettes, or using smut and slang, or 
young people who are careless and "slouchy" about the 
home. These habits will speedily fix themselves in the 
life and cause degeneration and death. My young friend, 
break that habit that binds you. You may not be able 
to do it in your own strength, but ask God and he will 
help you. 



254 SIFTED WHEAT. 

HOW IT GREW. 

That little misrepresentation of yours about that 
friend. Of course you really did not mean to do your 
friend an injury, but to hear the story now, it's awful. 
Some one has put it in rhyme and we want you to see it. 

First somebody told it, 

Then the room wouldn't hold it, 

So the tongues rolled it 

Till they got it outside; 
Then the crowd came across it, 
And never once lost it, 

Till it grew long and wide. 
This lie brought forth others, 
Dark sisters and brothers, 
And fathers and mothers, 

A terrible crew ! 
And while headlong they hurried, 
The people they flurried 
And troubled and worried, 

As lies always do. 

"KNEE DRILL." 

The Salvation Army have one meeting they call the 
Knee Drill. It is where they prevail mightily with God 
in prayer. Everybody can join this knee drill brigade. 
Drill a few minutes in the morning and if possible get in 
a few minutes practice at noon and never neglect a pro- 
longed exercise at night. This sort of spiritual gymnas- 
tics will promote your spiritual health, make the 



SIFTED WHEAT. 255 

Christian pathway a delight, and make you keen 
to hear and t know the voice of God. If you would 
be an efficient soldier of Jesus Christ put in as much time 
as possible in knee drilling. 



TOE POWER OF A CONSISTENT LIFE. 
Neh. 5:9; Rom. 14 : 22. 

Suggestive Bible selections on the topic. 

One Master only. Matt. 6: 24. 

The hypocrite spurned. Psa. 50 : 16, 17. 

Consistency gives courage. Neh. 6: 9-1 1. 

Words and deeds. Mai. 1 : 6-8. 

The testimony of a consistent life. 1 Pet. 2 : 12. 

The pre-requisite to a consitent Christian life is to 
first have a good degree of salvation. A half hearted 
experience is sure to lead to inconsistency. Sin in any 
form will dull the keenness of consciences, and blur the 
spiritual eyesight. There must be a heart "set" on God, 
a high sense of our moral obligation to truth and right- 
eousness, and a serious sense of the heinousness of sin. 
Such an experience will lead to a consistent Christian life 
in any walk of life. 

Inconsistent living on the part of church members 
is perhaps the greatest hindrance to the spread of the 
gospel to-day. A prominent business man said, "I leave 
my religion at home when I start for business." This is 
not true of all business men, but it is too true of many. 
Business consistency on the part of church members 
would mean much for Christ's kingdom. This can also 
be applied to those who go into social life. Young Chris- 



256 SIFTED WHEAT. 

tians especially are in danger here. A slight compromise 
with worldliness or sin, will cripple the spiritual life as 
well as endanger the souls of others through your incon- 
sistency. A consistent life among your friends is the 
best sort of testimony. 

A consistent life will give, 

Courage. 

Will bring conviction. 

Will give peace to your own heart. 

Will give you power to help others. 

Will bring you home to heaven at last. 

"O Lord, I pray 

That for this day 
I may not swerve 

By foot or hand 

From Thy command, 
Not to be served, but to serve. 

"This too I pray, 

That for this day 
No love of ease 

Nor pride prevent 

My good intent 
Not to be oleased, but to please. 

"And if I may, 

I'd have this day 
Strength from above 

To set my heart 

In heavenly art. 
Not to be loved, but to love." 



SIFTED WHEAT. 257 

SAVE THE YOUNG MEN. 

What a throng of young men rushing into eternity 
unsaved. Our cities and towns are crowded with them. 
They seem to be getting more careless and reckless as the 
years go by. The young people's societies ought to put 
forth a special effort to get the young men interested. 
Personal solicitation is one of the very best ways. Many 
young men have never been spoken to about their souls. 
Are these to die and be lost forever without an effort 
to save them? God help the Christian young people 
especially who read these words, to do this definite, per- 
sonal work. We must have more of the young men 
reached. Select two or three who ought to be saved and 
with the help of the Lord go after them. Begin at once. 

FOLLOW THE BOYS AND GIRLS. 

The Sunday-school owes it to the boys and the girls 
who have been its scholars to follow them with a kindly 
interest after they have gone forth from its tuition to 
enter upon positions for self-maintenance in the larger 
towns and cities of their own or distant States. In the 
conditions and circumstances attending such in their new 
places of residence and service they will miss the genial 
social life, the warm sympathy and the inspiring moral 
influences previously experienced. In hotel or boarding- 
house life, where it is every man and woman for himself 
or for herself, where grace at meals, family devotions and 
religious converse are unknown, and where irreverence, 
skepticism and scoffing at religion are too apt to be 

Sifted Wheat— 17 



258 SIFTED WHEAT. 

indulged, the chill and depression of spirit incident to 
such an environment will produce a sort of moral shock 
difficult and perilous to sustain. In such a situation our 
boys and girls, grown to young men and young women 
and having entered in earnest upon "the struggle for ex- 
istence," will need friendship, sympathy, compassion and 
moral reinforcement, lest, under the feeling of depression 
and abandonment so apt to seize them, they give them- 
selves up to those excitements and distractions of city life 
which are so common and whereby thousands are led to 
devote themselves to those pleasures of sin which are 
corrupting to morals, destructive of virtue and damning 
in their consequences. 



PERSONAL WORK THE DUTY OF EVERY 
CHRISTIAN. 

Jno. i : 35-40; 45, 46; Acts 8: 26; Acts 10. 

The value of personal work is immeasurable. Win 
one soul and you may start influences in motion whereby 
scores of precious souls will be saved. 

Dr. J. O. Peck, a master in the art of personal work 
says, "One winter in D , the writer induced a promi- 
nent man and soldier, after an interview of two hours in 
his office, to promise to begin a Christian life. At least 
twenty more were afterward converted as the direct re- 
sult of this man's influence. ,, 

We greatly need a "one man" revival, where Chris- 
tians work and pray for one soul rather than the multi- 
tude. Hundreds of Christians let the years go by without 



SIFTED WHEAT. 259 

bringing anybody to Christ. Such sort of Christian liv- 
ing is perilous to your own soul, as well as those about 
you. Religious stagnation is almost certain of eternal 
damnation. If you are not equipped spiritually for per- 
sonal work, seek the power of God in your own life, until 
you are ready. 

Make up your mind to win ONE to Christ. 

Plan to get a soul saved as carefully as you plan for 
a business enterprise. 

Have you talked Christ to that workman by your side ? 
Multitudes who have been converted in revivals have been 
won by direct personal work. The way to start a revival 
is to begin on that unsaved friend nearest you. 



CONFESSING YOUR SINS. 

If you are to get soul relief it will be necessary for you 
to avoid hiding, or rather trying to hide a single sin. 

It is possible for a man to go wrong, which is bad 
enough, but to stay wrong is worse. "That," writes John 
F. Cowman, "made the difference between Saul and 
David. Saul never made a clean breast of his sin and 
tried to start over. David cried, 'Blot out my transgres- 
sions, wash me thoroughly from my iniquity.' ' 

"There isn't much hope for a man as long as he con- 
fesses, T did wrong, but — .' A confession with a 'but' 
to it is like a house-cleaning with a closet door locked. 
A health officer once fumigated a scarlet-fever house, but 
there was one room the family did not want intruded on, 
and they covered the door and concealed it from him. He 
disinfected the rest of the house thoroughly, but within 



^(30 SIFTED WHEAT. 

six months scarlet fever broke out again, from germs in 
the closed room. 

"Have you locked any door of your life against the 
Holy Spirit? Have you said to God, 'I want to be decent 
here, and here, but there is a habit or a pet sin that I can't 
have disturbed just yet?' Some people pray to God for 
holiness as they ask other people for advice — they mean 
to take only so much as suits them. Our confessions are 
like the opalescent glass we put in our windows ; we want 
to see the light outside, but mean that no one shall see 
what is inside. We keep God out with a frosted-glass 
sort of frankness.'' 



THANKSGIVING FOR PERSONAL MERCIES, 
i Kings 8 : 56; Isa. 63 : 7 ; 1 Tim. 1 : 12. 

We ought to catch up with our thanks. There is 
hardly any one but could find much to be thankful for, 
even though life has been full of burdens and cares. A 
home thanksgiving in which your heart sings the dox- 
ology will bring to your life a glow of warmth and glad- 
ness. Try to think of all that you ought to be thankful 
for. Here are a few things. 

Thank God for a place to work in His vineyard. 

Thank God for opportunities to do good. 

Thank God for the plan of salvation that just suits 
each individual who will accept it. 

Thank God that some are seeking and obtaining par- 
don of their sins. 



SIFTED WHEAT. 261 

Thank God for some faithful preachers and teachers. 

Thank God for an open Bible, and the wide distribu- 
tion of the same. 

Thank God for loyal hearts to Him even in the midst 
of severe persecution. 

Thank God you are saved, or at least can be. 

Thank God for His temporal mercies. 

Thank God for His protection amidst dangers seen 
and unseen. 

Thank God for the real happiness that comes from 
serving Him. 

Thank God for His mercy to sinful men. 

Thank God for the spread of scriptural holiness. 

Thank God for the hope of heaven. 

"Let us be thankful, thankful for the prayers 

Whose gracious answers were long, long delayed, 

That they might fall upon us unawares, 

And bless us, as in greater need we prayed." 



A KIND WORD, A SUNNY SMILE. 

"It was only a sunny smile, 
And little it cost in the giving; 

But it scattered the night 

Like the morning light, 
And made the day worth living. 

Through life's dull warp a woof it wove 

In shining colors of hope and love ; 
And the angel smiled as they watched above, 
Yet little it cost in the giving. 



262 SIFTED WHEAT. 

"It was only a kindly word, 
A word that was lightly spoken; 
Yet not in vain, 
For it stilled the pain, 
Of a heart that was nearly broken. 
It strengthened a faith beset by fears, 
And groping blindly through mists of tears 
For light to brighten the coming years, 
Although it was lightly spoken." 



SOMETHING EACH DAY. 

To do something for God and humanity each day 
should be the aim of every Christian. Make your plans 
accordingly. Have it in mind during the day, and feel 
disappointed if the night overtakes you and no definite 
work for God or man has been done. If you would look 
back over a year of victory, you must improve the oppor- 
tunities of each day. 

"Something each day — a deed 

Of kindness and of good 
To link in closer bonds 

All human brotherhood. 
O thus the heavenly will 

We all may do while here, 
For a good deed every day 

Makes blessed all the year !" 



SIFTED WHEAT. 263 

THE USE OF PRAYER. 
Luke 10 : 2 ; Heb. 4:16; James 4:8; Col. 1 : 9. 

1 — The harvest field. Jesus indicates the greatness 
of the harvest field and the scarcity of the labourers. It 
is just as true to-day and there is need of. earnest prayer 
for more efficient, faithful workers. 

2 — 'Boldness in prayer. It would seem that God takes 
delight in having his children petition him in a time of 
need. We must not be afraid to ask "boldly" and 
"largely." 

3 — Co-operation and deliverance is promised. Those 
who seek to be saved from all sin, God will "draw nigh" 
to them. If the sinner desires his hands to be clean, — 
outward acts washed away — or the regenerate man to 
get rid of the "double mind," in either case God is more 
than willing to hear and answer such a prayer. 

4 — Intercession. It is most blessed to have others 
pray for us. Prayers of the saints are always a help to 
one another, but as Bud Robinson says, "When you pray, 
if nobody talks back to you it would be well for you to 
stop long enough to find out how you stand at head- 
quarters." 

HELPFUL ILLUSTRATIONS AS TO THE USE 

OF PRAYER. 

Moses used prayer and delivered a whole nation. (Ex. 
32:32.) 

Asa prayed and both he and his people were delivered 
from the Ethiopians. (2 Chron. 14: 11-12.) 

Jehoshaphat used prayer and fasting, and the three 



264 SIFTED WHEAT. 

companies that came against him to battle were utterly 
destroyed. (2 Chron. 20.) 

Elijah used prayer and the fire from heaven burnt up 
his sacrifice to the astonishment of the Baalites, and the 
people cried "The Lord, he is God! The Lord, he is 
God!" (1 Kings 18:36-40.) 

The 120 prayed ten days and Pentecost was ushered 
in. (Acts 2.) 

Paul and Silas used the key of prayer to open prison 
doors. (Acts 16:24-34.) 



THE POWER OF A CLEAN LIFE. 

How much we need young men and women whose 
lives are clean — above reproach. How much a life speaks 
out for God. The world is watching closely, and the least 
compromise with worldliness may trip a weaker brother 
or sister, and is sure to lessen our influence. Young man 
seek to be clean. Do not follow the rabble. Better go 
alone with God than with the worldly, popular multitude 
to hell. Pray for a clean heart. Get that and it will 
be a "regulator" of your outward conduct, as well as to 
help you to be a walking advertisement for the King of 
kings. 



SIFTED WHEAT. 265 

WITHOUT CHRISTIANITY. 

How dark, lonely and wretched this world would be 
without Christianity. Who can measure or describe the 
awful degradation. Mathew Arnold once said, "Show 
me ten square miles in any part of the world outside of 
Christianity, where the life of men and the purity of 
women are safe, and I will give up Christianity." Henry 
Drummond adds, "There are no such ten square miles. 
Christian men are the salt of the earth." 



LOST AND HELPLESS,— A MAN WITHOUT 

CHRIST. 

John 12 : 37-43 ; Heb. 3 : 12. 

There are four important points to keep in mind. 

1 — All men are lost through sin, "For all have sinned 
and come short of the glory of God." (Rom. 3 : 23.) 
"For God hath concluded them all in unbelief, that he 
might have mercy upon all." (Rom. 11 : 32.) 

2 — Salvation alone through Christ. "Verily, verily, 
I say unto you, he that entereth not by the door into 
the sheepfold, but climbeth up some other way, the same 
is a thief and a robber." (John 10: 1.) "I am the door: 
by me if any man enter in, he shall be saved, and shall 
go in and out and find pasture." (John 10: 9). 

3 — Regenerated by the Holy Ghost. This means very 
much more than the usual method adopted by some to 
get people into the church. "The wind bloweth where it 
listeth, and thou heareth the sound thereof, but canst not 



266 SIFTED WHEAT, 

tell whence it cometh, or whither it goeth ; so is every 
one that is horn of the Spirit." (John 3:8). "Not by 
works of righteousness which we have done, but accord- 
ing to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regenera- 
tion, and the renewing of the Holy Ghost ; which he shed 
on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Saviour." 
(Titus 3:5-6). 

4 — Sanctified by faith. Paul the great apostle to the 
Gentiles, received his commission from God, it reads like 
this, "To open their eyes, and to turn them from darkness 
to light, and from the power of Satan unto God, that they 
may receive forgiveness of sins, and inheritance among 
them which are sanctified by FAITH that is in me." 
(Acts 26: 18). What a thoughtful and magnanimous 
provision God has made to deliver the sinner from all his 
sin. Let us thank God and take courage. 



THE BACKSLIDER UNSATISFIED. 

There is no idolatry that can satisfy the heart that 
has once worshipped Jesus Christ. The deeper the back- 
slider goes into sin the more tenderly it would seem God 
calls him to his first love. One who has been truly regen- 
erated must make a desperate effort to stifle the longings 
of the heart to return to God. This is especially true of 
the backslider when he is brought under religious influ- 
ences, or in the presence of holy people. If this should 
catch the eye of any poor, disheartened, discouraged back- 
slider, you had better yield to the wooings of God's Spirit 
in His endeavor to have you again safe within the fold. 



SIFTED WHEAT. 267 

THEY HELPED THE OLD LADY. 

Young people as well as some older ones are quite 
often not as courteous to old people as they should be. 
There should always be profound respect for the aged. 
During the big fire at Coney Island the other day, the fol- 
lowing incident took place, related by an observer : 

"As I stood on one of the piers watching the bursting 
flames — it was then after dark — eight husky youths in an 
old wagon drove down on a run. They threw the reins 
to a boy, and dashed out upon the sand. In a few minutes 
they came back and brought with them three whisky bar- 
rels that had been rolled on the beach. As they started 
to drive away a haggard old woman rushed up to them, 
grasped the leader by the arm and cried: 'Oh, please 
save my pianny ! Please save my pianny !' 'Where is it 
lady?' asked the big rough fellow, 'Down here,' she 
cried, and began to run. 'Come on boys/ said the young 
fellow and they followed her. 

"Back they came carrying an ancient piano of the 
tin pan sort, that had seen years of use in a Coney music 
hall. It was covered with sand, as it had been thrown 
on the beach, to save it from the flames, but the men 
were as careful of it as though it had been a concert 
grand, just out of the factory. 'Go easy, boys,' said the 
boss, 'don't scratch it on the wheel.' It was laid on the 
barrels, the old woman was hoisted up beside it, the 
wagon moved off, and that is the last I saw of it or the 
men." 



268 SIFTED WHEAT. 

NEVER FORSAKEN. 

No one is ever forsaken of God until he wilfully for- 
sakes God. There must be a turning from the right, and 
a choosing of that which is wrong before God gives one 
up. You should remember, my friend, that if you are 
now in the throes of despair and lukewarmness it is be- 
; cause you voluntarily omitted to do your Christian duty, 
and chose sin or worldly pleasure instead. Be true to God 
and he will be true to you. Forsake your sin and he will 
turn his face in your direction. 



HOW SIN IS REMOVED. 

The blood cleanseth from all. i John 1 : 7. 

Laid on Christ. Isa. 53 : 6. 

Put away by Christ. Heb. 9 : 26. 

Christ is exalted to give forgiveness. 5:21. 

The Lamb of God takes away. John 1 : 29. 

Christ Jesus came to save sinners. 1 Tim. 1 : 15. 

Christ died for our sins. 1 Cor. 15:3. 

He bare our sin, in his own body on the tree. 1 Peter 
2:24. 

Without shedding of blood is no remission. Heb. 
9 : 22. 

Christ is exalted to give forgiveness. Acts 5:31. 



SIFTED WHEAT. 269 

A PICTURE OF THE SINNER. 

He is spiritually dead. 

He is spiritually blind. 

He is seemingly unconcerned about eternity. 

He does not value the provision of the Gospel. 

He has no hope of heaven, therefore if he dies in his 
sins, eternity in hell is to be his portion. 

His heart is dark, hard, filthy, sinful and from the 
abundance of such a heart his mouth speaketh. 

His influence is not for good, but for evil. Others 
imitate him and are led into dissipation, loss of health and 
general degeneration. 

The poor sinner ! He is without hope, without Christ, 
without peace, without assurance, without anything that 
goes to make life substantial, either in this world or the 
world to come. 



JESUS CHRIST— HIS SAVING POWER. 
Acts 4 : 12 ; Matt. 1 : 21 ; 1 Tim. 1 : 15. 

1. Christ as Saviour. This is pre-eminently his first 
mission to the world, and should be emphasized above all 
others. "For thou shalt call his name Jesus ; for he shall 
save his people from their sins" (Matt. 1 : 21). To under- 
rate Christ's saving power, or to say he cannot save from 
all sin, is to totally defeat the main purpose of his in- 
carnation. 

The world was heartsick of sin, and is still; but 
Christ, the Great Physician, came to effect a perfect cure. 



270 SIFTED WHEAT. 

Christianity differs from all other religions because 
it satisfies the human soul. Christianty embraces the 
highest moral standards known. 

The work of salvation through Jesus Christ Is more 
than a rescue from sin. It transforms the life of the sin- 
ner, and fills him with new purposes, new motives and 
new aspirations. In addition it plants within his breast 
a hope beyond this vale of tears. 

2. Christ as Teacher. At an early age his teaching 
astonished the most astute philosophers. "He spake as 
never man spake." Thousands listened to his matchless 
words and were charmed by their beauty and simplicity. 
He is called the Great Teacher, and cannot be classified 
with any other man in this respect. 

3. Christ as Healer. Hundreds were healed of their 
bodily diseases. There was not merely temporary relief 
from disease, but an instantaneous, permanent cure. This 
can be substantiated by scores of Scripture illustrations. 
Christ has the same power to heal the body to-day. 

4. Christ as Sympathizer. Christ was peculiarly 
tender toward the unfortunate. He delighted to preach 
the gospel to the poor. The depth of his heart was moved 
in the presence of distress or suffering. How his example 
ought to inspire his followers to minister to the needy. 
In fact, the true Christian has a Christlike sympathy for 
those in trouble. 



SIFTED WHEAT. 271 

SUGGESTIVE THOUGHTS. 

If Christ can save from one sin he can save from all 
sins. 

Human religion is intellectual ; Christian religion is 
spiritual. 

The greatest proof of the divinity of Christ is to let 
him save you. 

The followers of Christ are delightfully satisfied with 
their hope beyond the grave. 

A true Christian is not governed by law but by love. 
"The love of Christ constraineth me." 

"The distinction between Christianity and all the other 
religions consists largely in this, that in these others men 
are found seeking after God, while Christianity is God 
seeking after man." 

"WHITER THAN SNOW/' 

Eccle. o : 8 ; Ps. 51:7; Isa. 1 : 18 ; Rev. 7 : 14. 

Newly fallen snow is not so pure as it looks. From 
snow just fallen Floegel, a distinguished scientist, has 
obtained living infusoria, and algae, bacilli, and micro- 
cocci, mites, diatoms, and great numbers of spores of 
fungei, also fibres of wood, mouse hairs, pieces of butter- 
fly wings, skin of larvae of insects, cotton fibres, pieces of 
glass, epidermis, pollen grains, rye and potato, flour, 
grains of quartz, minute pieces of roofing slate, and bits 
of iron and coal. But the divine grace makes whiter than 
snow — purifying the conscience thoroughly and cleansing 
from all impurities of flesh and spirit. The grave nearest 
the North Pole, dug in the everlasting snow, bears the 



272 SIFTED WHEAT. 

pathetic plaint, "Wash me, and I shall be whiter than 
snow." A fine epitaph, indeed, but we must not leave it 
for our gravestones ; let us claim its fulfillment even now, 
and by virtue of his sovereign power. He who rose from 
the dead shall cleanse our conscience from its foulness 
and fear, and the garment of flesh and all the raiment of 
life shall be whiter than any fuller on earth could whiten 
them. 



A CHOICE FOR ETERNITY. 
Luke 16: 19-31. 

Choose! Josh. 24:15, 16. How long halt ye? 1 
Kings 18: 21. A choice determined by possessions. Mark 
10:17, 23. Far sighted choice. Heb. 11:24-27. The 
choice of love. Ruth 1 : 16, 17. To whom shall we go? 
John 6:66, 69. 

This lesson embraces one of the most startling pic- 
tures given in the Scriptures. The story of Dives and 
Lazarus is undoubtedly based upon fact. Some Bible 
students refer to this as a parable, but without scriptural 
warrant. The Bible says "There was a certain rich man." 
And "There was a certain beggar named Lazarus." 

In this thrilling account Christ lifts the curtain and 
gives us a view of the other world. Two men, one rich 
and the other poor in this world, have changed positions 
in the other world. The poor man is now rich, and the 
rich man is now poor. The rich man is not in hell because 
he was rich, but because of his moral character, and his 
attitude toward God while here. The poor man is not in 
heaven because he was poor, while on the earth, 



SIFTED WHEAT. 273 

but because he was spiritually rich toward God. Char- 
acter here fixes destiny yonder, and every man has the 
right of choice. The matter of saving your soul is not 
an arbitrary arrangement. God will not force himself 
upon you against your stubborn will. But God will use 
every legitimate means to bring a soul to repentance. 
"God is not willing that any should perish, but that all 
should come to repentance." The only sure way to die 
well it to live well. This means more than simply mo- 
rality, it means Christ the center of the life, guiding the 
heart into all truth. 

Heaven for the man who accepts Christ and his 
teachings, and Hell for the man who follows a course of 
sin and rejects the divine provision. Your way of 

THINKING WILL NOT CHANGE THE DIVINE ORDER. No sin 

or sinner can get into Heaven. There is only one place 
for such, and that is Hell. "Choose ye this day whom ye 
will serve." 

ETERNITY IN HELL. 

Think of it my unsaved friend! Think of it back- 
slider ! Think of it church member engaged in worldli- 
ness ! Eternity in Hell ! Dishonest groceryman, dry goods 
man, business man, whiskey selling druggist, whiskey 
drinker, blasphemer, and those engaged in some secret 
t , sin, eternity in hell ! ! Stop ! Stop ! ! Repent of your 
sins, get to God at once. 

Careless fathers and mothers and worldly minded 
children, if you are not converted to God you will spend 
eternity in Hell. 

Sifted Wheat— 18 



.*: 



274 SIFTED WHEAT. 

Those who are impure in mind and heart, whose 
mouth is filled with "smut" and filth, who lie and deceive, 
stop ! Seek God or you will spend eternity in Hell. 

Let every sober, intelligent sinner consider this awful 
outcome of a sinful life. If you willfully continue in a 
course of sin, remember your final doom is a "lake of fire 
and brimstone" — eternity in hell ! ! 

Heed this earnest call, Attention ! attention ! to this 
loving appeal, or you may plunge into the "bottomless 
pit." The opportunity to escape is now. Act now, for 
the delay of a single hour may fix your eternal destiny. 

Eternity in hell! Awful thought. "Escape for 
thy life" ! ! ! 



NOT SEEING, BUT BELIEVING. 

"The clouds hang heavy round my way, 

I cannot see; 
But through the darkness I believe 

God leadeth me. 
Tis sweet to keep my hand in his 

While all is dim; 
i To close my weary, aching eyes, 

And follow him. 
i Through many a thorny path he leads 

My tired feet ; 
Through many a path of tears I go, 

But it is sweet 
To know that he is close to me, 

My God, my guide. 



SIFTED WHEAT. 275 



He leadeth me, and so I walk 

Quite satisfied. 
To my blind eyes he may reveal 

No light at all ; 
But while I lean on his strong arm, 

I cannot fall." 



THE TRANSFORMING POWER OF CHRIST. 

Very often we have noticed this in the lives of young 
people. In their sinful, worldly state they were light and 
frivolous, and seemingly entirely indifferent to their 
soul's interest, but Christ touched the life and immedi- 
ately there was a transformation. Now the life is beau- 
tified by kindly deeds and sober thinking. It is said of 
Elizabeth Fry that she was a thoughtless girl of seven- 
teen years, used to all the refinements of luxury and a 
life of ease ; wholly selfish and wholly useless, when God 
came to her through the voice of a Quaker preacher and 
she consecrated her life to God. Her meat and her drink 
were the doing of the Master's will and work. At the 
age of 65 she wrote : "Since my heart was touched, at 
the age of 17, I believe I have never awakened from sleep, 
in sickness or in health, by day or by night, without my 
first waking thought being how best I might serve my 
Lord." There could be but one result from such conse- 
cration. God sent her among the outcast, and her life 
became a constant benediction. The work she began in 
Great Britain among female convicts spread all over the 
continent of Europe. Letters from crowned heads, as 
well as from philanthropic people in the common walks 



276 SIFTED WHEAT. 

of life, began to pour in inviting her to visit the prisons 
of other lands ; and subsequently she visited Scotland, 
France, Germany and other countries, upon this errand 
of mercy, everywhere hailed as an angel of peace and 
good will to men. The prisons of Europe were reformed 
through her labors, and the laws to punish criminals were 
greatly codified in nearly all European countries. Indeed, 
the reformation spread throughout the world. This was 
the work accomplished by one woman, who had sub- 
mitted her life wholly to the will of God. She was 
changed from a thoughtless, frivolous girl into a woman 
of great usefulness and power. And what was true of Eliz- 
abeth Fry may be true of each one of us. We may not 
be called to so high a task. We may find our horizon 
circumscribed, and our opportunities limited ; but if our 
meat and our drink are to do the will of God, the oppor- 
tunities will be many and the results will be precious and 
permanent. 



JUN 29 19C5 



Deacidified using the Bookkeeper proces; 
Neutralizing agent: Magnesium Oxide 
Treatment Date: Oct. 2005 



